Prince George should now be easing out of the worst of its first winter cold snap.
After seeing the high of just -16 C on Tuesday, the thermometer struck a relatively balmy -10 C by Wednesday afternoon and the trend is for warmer temperatures over the next few days, according to Environment Canada.
A high of 3 C with a 30 per cent chance of showers is forecast for Friday before settling back to 0-1 C through to Tuesday with a mix of sun and cloud.
Although cold, it was not the coldest Nov. 19 the city has endured. That award goes to Nov. 19, 1978 when the high was -27.4 C.
Prince George did see recording-setting snowfall last Friday when 17.4 cm hit the ground at the airport, smashing the old milestone for Nov. 15 of 9.8 cm, set in 2009.
At least one Prince George shelter was full to overflowing as a result of the deep freeze.
Despite a capacity of 40 during the winter, Bridget Moran Place at Sixth and Dominion hosted 45 people over Tuesday night and 44 the night before, Active Support Against Poverty executive director Audrey Schwartz said.
"We're making it work because we don't want anybody to be hurt or die on the street because they have nowhere warm to go," Schwartz said.
She is expecting the pressure to ease as the temperature rises.
"It has certainly happened in the past," Schwartz said.
Some clients have homes but turn to the shelter when it gets cold out because their heating systems are subpar, she added.
"I can't give you numbers but I know that does happen," Schwartz added.
For those interested in helping out, Schwartz said it has a "great need for coffee and sugar and that kind of thing," because the shelter is open round the clock during the cold weather.
Outer winter wear for clients is "always needed," she added.
At 40 beds, the association Advocating for Women And Children women's shelter at 144 George St. has been full although not beyond capacity, said executive director Diane Nakamura.
"But we haven't seen the coldest temperatures yet," Nakamura added. "We haven't run over yet but there were times last year when we ran over capacity but that's OK because we don't turn anybody away when the temperatures are like they are right now."
AWAC is continuing to accept donations for Christmas gift bags for clients. It's seeking mitts, toques, scarves, socks and hygiene products, such as shampoos, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant.
AWAC is also asking that the items be newly-purchased rather than second hand due to hygiene issues, although newly-made homemade knitted items are fine.
The Ketso Yoh Men's Shelter at 160 Quebec St. did not return a request for comment Wednesday. It's capacity is at 30 for the winter months.
The provincial government is providing funding to increase the capacity of each shelter by 10 beds from Nov. 1 to March 31.
