Environment Canada is warning that frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes as frigid conditions linger over much of British Columbia.
Extreme cold and arctic outflow warnings are in place for much of the Interior as well as the north and central coasts, and the agency is suggesting people limit outdoor activities and ensure pets and outdoor animals are sheltered.
The weather office says an arctic air mass over central B.C. is bringing wind chills near –40 C to the north and –20 C in coastal areas and the Whistler Valley.
Extreme cold warnings have also been issued for the B.C. Peace Region, including Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.
Environment Canada says temperatures in the region are expected to warm during the day after dropping to about –40 C overnight.
An early morning extreme cold warning was also issued for Yoho and Kootenay parks and the Elk Valley, with the weather office saying gusty easterly winds will result in chills of about –40 C.
There’s still a chance of flurries in Vancouver, where temperatures dropped below –8 C this morning. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement warning of the potential for snow starting late Wednesday afternoon through tonight, particularly during the evening commute.
Cities across Metro Vancouver have opened warming centres overnight for people without homes as cold winter weather grips the province. Some say the centres ought to be open 24 hours a day, though, to protect against frigid daytime temperatures too.
Cold weather shelters available
Extreme weather shelters and warming centres are open in Vancouver until Thursday, with additional space available for unhoused people. Eight locations in the city are providing extra extreme weather shelter space, with eight more sites serving as warming centres.
Extreme weather shelter spaces are available elsewhere in the province, with a list of facilities available on the B.C. Housing website.
Connie Abe, the executive director of the Association Advocating for Women and Community in Prince George, B.C., says her organization’s outreach team will be driving around the northern B.C. city to check on unhoused people and ensure they have someplace warm to stay.
“One thing that we saw last year [in] a number of our individuals that we help support, you know, some of them lost their fingers,” she told CBC News.
“And it’s because they simply fall asleep and … if nobody’s out there keeping an eye on them, you know, nobody will be able to get there to help them.”
#Environment #Canada #cautions #frostbite #frigid #temperatures #linger #B.C
Leave a Reply