Some parts of B.C. to feel as cold as –50 C as Arctic air blast reaches coast

Extreme cold warnings continue Thursday for much of central and northern B.C., with Arctic air now flowing over the coast, causing temperatures to plummet.

Some communities in B.C.'s north and central Interior have been grappling with air temperatures below –40 C for much of the week, with accompanying winds making it feel as low as –50 C in some areas. 

On Thursday, Environment Canada also issued Arctic outflow warnings for most of British Columbia's coast, saying strong winds could make temperatures feel as low as –30 C in some areas.

The frigid wind chill is expected to arrive Thursday night in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, the Fraser Valley and much of the Central and North Coast.

Air temperatures are expected to drop to –12 C in Vancouver and –10 C in Victoria. Environment Canada says the Arctic air combined with strong winds gusting to 60 km/h in the region will generate wind chill that feels like –20 C until at least Saturday.

Snow flurries are also expected across southwest B.C. on Thursday night.

WATCH | Fort Nelson, B.C., mayor says it's tough to breathe in –30 C weather: 

'It's difficult breathing,' northern B.C. mayor says amid Arctic outflow

11 months ago

Duration 4:17

Rob Fraser, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, says there have been colder days in Fort Nelson, B.C., but not many. It was –32 C, without the wind chill, at the time of this interview.

Environment Canada warns 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.

As of 1:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, around 10,000 people across B.C. have lost power with high winds hitting the coast.

Transit authorities, cities prepare

On Wednesday, the City of Vancouver sent out a public bulletin saying it would be preparing for the impending cold weather by brining and salting roadways and major pedestrian and bike routes, along with opening winter shelters.

"With freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow headed to Vancouver, the city is ready to help keep residents safe on streets, sidewalks and bikeways," it said.

"For those sheltering outside, the city and its partners have activated options for people to come indoors."

Metro Vancouver's transit authority, TransLink, said it is preparing transit services for the upcoming winter weather, including by spreading anti-icing solution on trolley wires and power rails, running trains overnight to prevent snow buildup and salting all walkways at transit stations. 

"Customers are encouraged to build extra travel time in their commute ... and use proper footwear to avoid slips and falls," read a TransLink statement. 

Low shelter space in Lower Mainland

B.C. Housing has a tool on its website to find shelters, including for extreme weather, across the province.

Nicole Mucci from the Union Gospel Mission said Thursday afternoon the organization's shelter in Vancouver has been  full the past few days, and it had to turn away 10 people last night. 

"That is really difficult," said Mucci. "When it is this cold and we don't have adequate space or staff to go over what is our limit, the conversation around what we can do can be difficult."

In Surrey, shelter space is also low.

Jack O' Halloran, CEO of Surrey Urban Mission, says in some cases people ride transit all day or hang out at community centres to stay warm.

"We're not used to temperatures like this," said O'Halloran. "Over these next three days, I'm very, very worried."

Mark Menard, who is from the Northwest Territories and now lives in a tent in Vancouver's Oppenheimer Park, says finding a shelter bed is difficult so he has been readying himself for the cold temperatures. 

"I'm prepared, but a lot of people can't prepare themselves like I do," said Menard. 

He says he is sharing items such as hand warmers and emergency blankets with others who are out in the cold.

WATCH | People in Prince George, B.C. react to blast of cold weather:

Frozen hands, many layers: Extreme cold not stopping winter walkers in northern B.C.

11 months ago

Duration 2:14

After an unseasonably warm December, a blast of cold air has hit northern B.C. with temperatures forecast as low as -50 C in some locations. In Prince George, icy wind making it feel like -30 C has people bundled up but still braving the cold.

B.C.'s workplace health-and-safety regulator WorkSafeBC shared a warning for employers to conduct regular risk assessments to protect workers during changing weather conditions. 

A WorkSafeBC spokesperson said work-related vehicle accidents occur at a higher volume, on average, in November, December and January compared to any other three-month span. 

Meanwhile, Environment Canada has also issued a warning for coastal flooding due to significant waves along Metro Vancouver shorelines due, in part, to strong winds.