The long stretch of extreme cold is taking its toll on Regina drivers and businesses

WATCH: CAA calls for assistance are much higher this February than last, while some carwashes have been forced to close in the extreme cold. Mick Favel reports.

The prolonged extreme cold temperatures have heightened the calls for assistance from drivers in Regina and forced some businesses to shutdown operations.

Throughout February, CAA says it has received 7,131 calls for assistance. During that same time span in 2024, there were 4,785. An increase of 49 per cent.

This year, there have been 145 calls for boosts, compared to 26 last year .

“We’re well on our way to double [the] numbers that we saw last year. It is definitely weather related,” Angel Blair from CAA said.

The weather has also had an impact on carwashes in the Queen City.

Rochdale Car Wash has closed its doors from Feb 16-19 due to a number of issues related to water and the extremely cold temperatures.

It’s the first time ever the Regina-based company has had to close for more than one consecutive day because of the weather.

“Usually when we get something like this it’s usually a couple days at most, but the last couple of weeks, it’s been continuous cold,” Manmeet Singh, the owner of Rochdale Car Wash said.

Regina has hit minus 40 two consecutive days before factoring in the windchill. If a third consecutive day were to happen, it would be the first time since 1972.

“The last time we [experienced] a minus 40 day in Regina was 2019. We only hit minus 40 four times since 2000. We have seen it twice in the last two days,” said Christy Climehaga, a meteorologist from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

CAA is recommending drivers pack an emergency kit before embarking on any major road trips.

They also recommend drivers plugging vehicles in while the cold hangs around.

This Sask. community was the coldest spot in Canada Tuesday morning

Regina’s homeless community utilizing ‘Hawk Principle’ shelter in face of extreme cold, service gaps

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Wednesday morning forecast, Regina could see plus side temperatures by the weekend.

The normal daytime high for the Queen City this time of year is about minus six. Wednesday morning, Regina dropped to minus 35 and minus 50 with the wind chill.