Montreal's New Year's Eve celebrations still on track as most Canadian cities change plans

While the bitter cold is forcing cities around Canada to alter New Year's Eve celebrations, organizers in Montreal aren't giving up just yet.

The City of Montreal says the cold weather won't affect the planned New Year's Eveparty to be heldDec. 31 at the Old Port.

Environment Canada has extended the timeline of anextreme cold weather warningfor the Montreal area, saying that it could feel as cold as -38 with the windchilll through the new yearand into next week.

The free event on Sunday, which includes live music and a fireworks display, also coincides with the final 375th anniversary celebrations.

Organizers say they will now keep MarchBonsecours open until 2 a.m.for people who would like to warm up inside.

The weather agency reports that bitterly cold Arctic air isgenerating wind chill values of between30 and38 across western and central Quebec.

These cold conditions will "strengthen"on Saturdayevening andtemperatures will remain well below seasonal values at least until the middle of next week.

Environment Canada is warning people to cover up as frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Those planning to head out Sunday night to celebrate the arrival of 2018, make sure to plan ahead and dress appropriately.

Cold complicates events elsewhere

Party organizers in Quebec City are also feeling the strain from the cold, saying that preparations for their New Year's Eve celebrations have been interruptedby the weather.

Despite a slow start, organizerAndr Verreaulttold Radio-Canada that there is no plan to cancel any of the events.

He said that there will be warming stations where people will be able to stave off the cold.

Meanwhile in Ottawa, many of the events planned on Parliament Hill for both the New Year and Canada 150 celebrations have either beencancelled or relocateddue to the cold weather.

Toronto, for its part, decided to shorten its celebrations.

Send your wintry Montreal photos to webquebec@cbc.ca or use #cbcmtl on Instagram.