Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Extreme cold: -40C forecast in Edmonton as snow causes road havoc in Metro Vancouver

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jan, 2024 10:39 AM
  • Extreme cold: -40C forecast in Edmonton as snow causes road havoc in Metro Vancouver

Extreme cold and biting wind has gripped Western Canada, breaking multiple decades-long daily temperature records in Alberta and British Columbia.

Environment Canada says Edmonton's temperature is -36.6 C and forecast to hit -40 C tonight on one of the coldest days in half a century, after plummeting to -34.6 C on the coldest Jan. 11 since 1997.

New daily lows were also set Thursday in the coastal B.C. community of Bella Bella, B.C., at -12.7, the Malahat area on Vancouver Island at -9.1, as well as in the Alberta communities of Breton, Hendrickson Creek and Red Earth Creek.

The weather agency says Breton, 110 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, saw temperatures drop to -37.6 C, breaking the record of -37.3 set in 1968.

The blast of winter weather has also struck Metro Vancouver, with temperatures falling to -13 C with a windchill factor of -23 and three centimetres of abrupt snowfall Thursday wreaking havoc on local roads and highways.

Among the most serious incidents was a crash involving two dozen vehicles that shut down the eastbound lanes of Highway 91 in Richmond, south of Vancouver, which stalled traffic for hours during Thursday's evening commute.

B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation has warned motorists through its DriveBC service, saying roads across the province are showing icy or snowy conditions, and drivers are asked to "drive with caution no matter where your travels take you today." 

Images across social media show traffic chaos throughout the Lower Mainland last night, with buses hampered and roads covered with snow or the sheen of black ice.

TransLink says on social media platform X that SkyTrain service on two lines have been delayed due to inclement weather, and riders should be aware of forecasts and dress appropriately in case of further disruptions.

Environment Canada cold and Arctic outflow warnings are splashed in red across the agency's map of Canada, from Haida Gwaii, B.C., to western Manitoba.

It says the cold snap won't shake loose until at least Saturday, and forecasters warn the gusting winds can make temperatures feel like -40 C or even -55 in some parts.

That means frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Those who do venture outside are being told to watch for symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, or fingers and toes changing colour.

While extreme cold puts everyone at risk, Environment Canada says the risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.

MORE National ARTICLES

Guilty plea from Vancouver hit and run suspect

Guilty plea from Vancouver hit and run suspect
A man charged in a fatal hit and run in Vancouver last year has pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death. Eoghan Byrne was killed on July 19th, 2022 in the Kitsilano neighbourhood in a collision that was captured on surveillance video.  

Guilty plea from Vancouver hit and run suspect

Hundreds of foreign-trained doctors boosting B.C. family medicine: Dix

Hundreds of foreign-trained doctors boosting B.C. family medicine: Dix
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says almost all of the 666 international medical graduates registered in the province this year are now working as doctors, with more than half in family medicine. Dix's comments come amid ongoing health-care woes including hospital overcrowding and many residents being left without a family doctor.

Hundreds of foreign-trained doctors boosting B.C. family medicine: Dix

Woman, 72, uses shovel to chase naked intruder from her Vancouver home, police say

Woman, 72, uses shovel to chase naked intruder from her Vancouver home, police say
Police say a 72-year-old woman used a shovel to chase a combative and naked man from her Vancouver home on Tuesday night. Vancouver police say in a statement the man entered the home by smashing a window with a pointed metal rod.

Woman, 72, uses shovel to chase naked intruder from her Vancouver home, police say

73-year-old man faces multiple charges after vehicle crashes through dollar store

73-year-old man faces multiple charges after vehicle crashes through dollar store
Mounties in Creston says a 73-year-old man faces multiple charges, including impaired driving, after a vehicle crashed through a dollar store on Monday morning. Police say damage to the store was significant after the vehicle drove through the front window of the Your Dollar Store with More. 

73-year-old man faces multiple charges after vehicle crashes through dollar store

Over 50 arrests in Kelowna retail theft

Over 50 arrests in Kelowna retail theft
Kelowna Mounties say an operation targeting shoplifters over a seven-day period this month resulted in more than 50 arrests. Police say the operation was in response to concerns from Kelowna's retail sector about theft and violence at stores.

Over 50 arrests in Kelowna retail theft

Ties with India appear to have undergone 'a tonal shift': Canada's Trudeau

Ties with India appear to have undergone 'a tonal shift': Canada's Trudeau
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Ottawa's relations with New Delhi appear to have undergone "a tonal shift", following US indictment of an Indian national in a plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil. The US indictment appears to have convinced the Narendra Modi government to adopt a more sober tone, Trudeau told CBC news channel in a year-end interview.  

Ties with India appear to have undergone 'a tonal shift': Canada's Trudeau