B.C.’s South Coast in a deep freeze until Wednesday

Bitterly cold weather is in store for coastal British Columbia until mid-week, according to a warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Frigid temperatures are being felt Monday morning in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, and eastern Vancouver Island.

Philippe-Alain Bergeron, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says the cold air is rushing down to the coast and is combining with strong winds.

“This morning was particularly cold and should be the coldest we see all week,” Bergeron said, adding that the cold wind chill is expected stay until Wednesday.

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He says it’s still early to be sure about any record-breaking temperatures, but Abbotsford recorded a -15.5 C on Monday.

He says that beats the earlier daily record set in 1968 for Dec. 27.

With the wind chill, it feels like -20 C, which may not be unfamiliar for the prairies, but for B.C.’s south coast it is very unusual.

A look at the warnings for B.C. due to extreme cold. Courtesy: Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“We tend to see this arctic outflow situation a few times each winter, but not with this intensity though it’s not something you would necessarily see every year,” he said.

“The averages for Vancouver would be a low of zero and a high of six,” he said

Risk of frostbite and hypothermia

Environment and Climate Change Canada says everyone should take precautions when outdoors as serious health impacts can happen within minutes at these temperatures.

• Minimize exposed skin with hats, scarves and mittens or gloves.
• Anyone who is not dressed warmly is at risk of frostbite and hypothermia in cold weather.
• Be prepared for unusually cold temperatures and strong winds.
• Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.

For a list of shelters in B.C. click here. 

Treacherous road conditions

It comes on the heels of a snow in several areas of the province which has kept road crews very busy.

Motorists are urged to be cautious on the roads this week, especially those who are taking the Sea to Sky from Squamish to Whistler.

Tuesday night and Wednesday morning the wind chill value is forecast to be near -20 C along that stretch.

Just got off a Zoom call w/Darren Ell at @MainroadLM. Overall the clearing conditions have been okay BUT yesterday (time and location unknown) someone tried to pass a snow plow. Third time since December. He's asking people to please not do that. @CityNewsVAN

— Ria Renouf ???? (@riarenouf) December 27, 2021

Darren Ell with Mainroad Contracting which services the Lower Mainland’s highways is urging motorists to respect the plows and not to pass. He says doing that could have fatal consequences.

“Somebody tried to pass the plows on the right hand again yesterday. Spun out, hit the side of our truck. I don’t want to see anybody get injured trying to pass the trucks,” Ell said.

“It’s quite scary because this will be the second or third truck hit since the middle of December,” he added.

Read more: Drive smart in the snow, BCAA urges British Columbia drivers

As of Monday morning, traffic was very light on the roads as many remain on holiday. But Ell says they are preparing for more snow on Wednesday.

Sea-to-Sky Highway pic.twitter.com/aGQmFlUF5A

— Itai Bavli, PhD (@ibavli) December 27, 2021

Flight delays Monday

Vancouver International Airport continued to experience delays and some flight cancellations as a result of the cold weather.

On Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, the extreme weather in B.C, as well as in other destinations, has impacted flights to and from YVR during the busy travel season.

Anyone with a flight is encouraged to check the status with the airline before going to the airport to ensure their flight is not impacted.

“We recognize it’s taking a little longer for passengers to get where they’re going and even collect their luggage. Our team is working with our many partners to get aircraft and passengers on their way as quickly and safety as possible,” a spokesperson for YVR wrote in an email to CityNews.

With files from Ria Renouf