B.C. cold weather warning set for Friday night

Environment Canada has issued an Arctic Air warning for most of B.C. beginning Friday, Jan. 27.

This cold spell presents a major shift in temperature from a fairly mild January. Environment Canada’s advisory says the temperature will drop five to 10 degrees below normal around B.C.’s south coast.

Northern B.C. coastal areas are expected to see a major temperature drop as well.

CityNews’ Meteorologist Carl Lam says that because the Lower Mainland is usually covered in a layer of clouds, the temperature doesn’t fluctuate that much, and it keeps us warmer compared to other places.

“But once we get into Saturday evening, with hardly any cloud cover left and a clear sky, that’s kind of like when someone would just take all the blankets off the bed, and it gets really cold,” he said.

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According to Environment Canada, gusty winds will come along with the cold air, bringing on a wind chill that will make it seem even colder outside. These winds include an extended period of strong outflow through valleys on the North and Central coast of the province. Places like Terrace, Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and Bella Coola will be affected by these winds as early as Saturday morning.

Outflow winds are expected to continue into the Sea to Sky and Fraser Valley regions Saturday night.

The cold temperatures aren’t expected to last too long though, as Environment Canada says temperatures are expected to rise late next week and into early February.