A prolonged period of severely cold wind chills continues in British Columbia, with Environment Canada warning of extreme cold on the Coquihalla Highway and the Okanagan Connector.
Bitterly cold wind chill values will range from minus 35 to minus 45. The agency warns that hazardous weather conditions are expected to last from now until Sunday morning. The combination of temperatures between minus 25 to minus 35 and 20 gusting to 40 km/h winds creates dangerous wind chill values.
Authorities have advised people to take necessary precautions and keep emergency supplies in their vehicles, such as extra blankets and jumper cables.
Mountain weather conditions can change suddenly, resulting in hazardous driving conditions. Therefore, drivers are urged to visit drivebc.ca for updates on road conditions and adjust their driving behaviour to winter driving standards, including using winter tires and chains.
An Arctic Outflow Warning also remains in effect for the Sea to Sky region. Wind chill values may moderate this afternoon but are still forecast to remain near minus 20 to minus 25 through Sunday. If adequate precautions are not taken outdoors, frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes, and skin exposure can result in frostbite.
