Most of British Columbia can expect colder-than-usual temperatures throughout the next week as a mass of cold air moves across the province.

The unseasonably chilly air will begin moving into the northern half of the province on Monday and make its way south over the course of the week,&nbsp;Environment Canada said&nbsp;Thursday.

Temperatures are expected to be 5-15 C below average and "to linger during the extended cold period," Environment Canada said in a statement.

The cold is expected to intensify throughout the week and continue into the weekend of Feb. 25, and could go into early March.

The art gallery and Alaska Highway sign in Dawson Creek, B.C. on Feb. 8 2023.

Temperatures in B.C., including in Dawson Creek, could be as low as 15 degrees below average next week.

Dawson Creek, B.C. - Alaska Highway

In addition, Enviroment Canada says persistent, strong winds will develop along coastal valleys and inlets.&nbsp;

The weather agency, which didn't provide the forecasted temperatures,&nbsp;said coastal communities could see snow at lower elevations.

"Despite the early signs of spring across the province,&nbsp;we are not quite done with winter yet," said CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe.

Why is B.C.'s backcountry so susceptible to avalanches this year?

This avalanche season has taken the lives of experienced backcountry users, including a search and rescue volunteer, off-duty RCMP officers and longtime skiers. Forecasters say a weak snowpack layer has set this season up to be one of the most dangerous yet.

A vehicle passes a sign showing an avalanche hazard warning of "considerable" at a parking lot.

On Jan. 30, 2016, a vehicle passes a sign showing an avalanche hazard warning of "considerable" at a parking lot where snowmobilers embark from near Mount Renshaw outside of McBride, B.C. Five snowmobilers died the previous day in a major avalanche in the Renshaw area east of McBride. 

BC Avalanche Deaths 20160130

Backcountry skiers are dwarfed by the mountains as they make their way along a snowy mountain ridge.

Backcountry skiers are dwarfed by the mountains as they make their way along a mountain ridge near McGillivray Pass Lodge located in the southern Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia on Jan. 10, 2012. Five people have been killed in British Columbia avalanches this month. Forecasters have compared this season’s snowpack with the conditions of the 2003, one of the worst years on record for fatalities.

Avalanche-BC-Timeline 20230124

Avalanche survivor urges backcountry users to avoid testing B.C.'s dangerous snowpack

Twenty years after he survived being buried in a deadly avalanche in British Columbia's backcountry, Ken Wylie is urging people to be cautious and aware while dealing with a similarly unstable snowpack this year.

A man with a black raincoat and grey beard stands in the forest.

Ken Wylie is a survivor of a deadly avalanche in the Selkirk Mountains in 2003. He is warning others to be cautious as the snowpack is now in similar conditions 20 years later. 

Avalanche-BC-Caution  20230125

Ken Wylie is a survivor of a deadly avalanche in the Selkirk Mountains in 2003. He is warning backcountry users to be especially cautious this winter because the snowpack conditions, which have already caused three fatal avalanches, are similar. 

Forecasters said the greatest difference could be felt in&nbsp;coastal communities, including Vancouver, where&nbsp;overnight lows will fall well below zero.

"Right now, the showers over the weekend will ease before clearing conditions come with&nbsp;dropping temperatures,"&nbsp;Wagstaffe said.&nbsp;"But confidence is low for a snow forecast for next week. If any system gets in, it will be cold enough for snow, so be prepared&nbsp;for winter driving across the entire province, including&nbsp;the South Coast."&nbsp;

People without homes could be particularly vulnerable, she added.

Environment Canada said it's not clear when temperatures will return to&nbsp;normal.&nbsp;

Temperatures in British Columbia are expected to fall below normal over the next week.

Colder-than-usual temperatures expected across B.C. next week: Environment Canada

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