Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Extreme Low Temperatures Continue in Gulf Islands

Environment Canada is warning the Southern Gulf Islands will see temperatures with windchill down to minus 20 until mid-week, conditions in which frostbite and hypothermia can develop quickly.  

A weather warning is in place for the Southern Gulf Islands as well as Metro Vancouver, up the Sunshine Coast and into Whistler. These areas will see temperatures down to minus 7 or 8 C. on Monday night and wind chill values near or below minus 20 degrees Celcius as Arctic winds flow from the Interior to the coast. 

The cold streak is caused by an “an Arctic ridge of high pressure over the B.C. Interior . . . bringing strong and bitterly cold outflow winds to the coastal communities and resulting in very cold wind chill values.” 

Monday afternoon and into Monday night will see some improvement, with wind chill between minus 10 and minus 20. Yet Tuesday night and Wednesday morning are expected to be down to minus 20 windchill again. Temperatures will start to increase during the day Wednesday, but with more snow expected on that day.

Environment Canada warns frostbite and hypothermia can develop within minutes in these conditions. Anyone not dressing for the weather is at risk, so people are being urged to bundle up and minimize any exposed skin if they are outside.

“Any outdoor activity exposes you to an increased risk of frostbite,” Environment Canada added.  

“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,” the warning stated. 

Sign up for our newsletter and stay informed

Receive news headlines every week with our free email newsletter.

Other stories you might like

Arctic blast puts Salt Spring on ice

Near-record sub-zero temperatures struck the Gulf Islands this week, and despite relatively little snowfall the impact of the season’s first significant winter weather was...

Archipelago artworks head south 

By SALT SPRING ARTS Salt Spring Arts is taking the final installment of Archipelago — Contemporary Art of the Salish Sea across the border...

Tour des Iles festival connects the islands this weekend

If you’re casting about for activities this Father’s Day weekend, fear not: Tour des Îles has you covered.  The popular inter-island connectivity-centred event returns Saturday...

Opinion: Should the Port of Vancouver be granted jurisdiction in islands?

BY CHRISTOPH ROHNER Transport Canada is inviting public opinion via email (tc.anchorages-ancrages.tc@tc.gc.ca) by May 14 regarding the question of whether the Port of Vancouver should...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Weather

Salt Spring Island
overcast clouds
4.7 ° C
6.8 °
2.8 °
99 %
2.1kmh
100 %
Thu
6 °
Fri
6 °
Sat
8 °
Sun
9 °
Mon
9 °