The Weather Network is predicting the Prairies will face a long and frigid winter.

It says the most consistent cold will be experienced in Saskatchewan and Manitoba -- which already suffered through a massive power outage when it got pummelled by a Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm.

The network says weather will be more variable in Alberta with periods of mild weather that could come close to offsetting bouts of severe cold.

It adds it looks right now that winter will linger, with spring getting off to a rather sluggish start from the central Prairies to Atlantic Canada.