Vernon News

Bitter cold from Arctic intrusion hits BC and much of Western Canada

A person walks down the snow-covered steps at Prospect Point near the Lions Gate Bridge as snow falls in Vancouver on Saturday, February 13, 2021. Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, and the Fraser Valley are expecting frigid wind chills to arrive tonight, joining much of the rest of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and all of Alberta under various cold weather warnings.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bitter cold is descending on Western Canada, with Prairie cities already seeing -30 C temperatures and southwestern British Columbia bracing for an Arctic outflow and an overdue blast of winter.

Temperatures in Calgary and Edmonton have dipped to -29 C and -31 C respectively with lows of -38 C possible Friday.

The Calgary Zoo says it has cancelled a preview of its outdoor Penguin Walk due to the extreme cold and safety concerns for staff and visitors.

In Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria and the Fraser Valley, an arctic outflow warning from Environment Canada says frigid wind chill that feels like -20 will arrive tonight and last until at least Saturday, as winds gust to 60 km/h and beyond.

Wind speeds at Vancouver International Airport have already reached 79 km/h this morning, and BC Ferries has cancelled two sailings and delayed others on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route.

In Hope, schools have been closed due to "white out conditions beyond the scales" according to the district.

Extreme cold warnings remain in place for parts of Yukon, the Northwest Territories, B.C., northern Saskatchewan, and all of Alberta.

Communities have been grappling with bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills that feel as low as -55 in some parts.

Environment Canada warns that frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors.

The weather office says the risks associated with the extreme cold are greater for children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, those working or exercising outdoors, and people who don't have proper shelter.

The B.C. government said earlier this week that residents should prepare for hazardous road conditions, extremely cold temperatures and an increased risk of avalanches.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2024


FILE PHOTO.
iN RESPONSE: Readers have their say
Following are a collection of reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the second week of December 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability.  Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall J
24 Hour Snacks on Bernard Avenue in Kelowna on Nov. 28, 2024.
Where to get weird and exotic snacks in Kelowna
Arabic malt energy drinks, protein Snickers bars, an edible Barbie dream house, Snoop Dogg chips; if any of those exotic snacks pique your interest there are places to get them in Kelowna. Seoulful Convenience specializes in Korean snacks a
MJ Wilt, a licensed psilocybin facilitator and the owner of a licensed psilocybin service center, sets up a room for a patient journey at her facility in Gresham, Ore., Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.
A growing number of Oregon cities vote to ban psychedelic mushroom compound psilocybin
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Drug reform advocates hailed Oregon as a progressive leader when it became the first in the nation to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms. But four years later,
iN MAPS: The most exciting Christmas lights to see in Vernon
There are an abundance of festive houses in Vernon that go all out on their Christmas decorations, illuminating the street with Christmas cheer. For over a decade, iNFOnews.ca has been adding to its list of addresses that really get into th

Top News