The deep freeze gripping the city is going to stay for awhile longer.
In fact, it's going to get colder before it gets warmer, according to an Environment Canada forecast which sees the daytime high dipping south of -20 C through to Thursday.
"It's quite remarkable how long this cold snap is going to last," Environment Canada meteorologist Ross MacDonald said Friday. "It's moving beyond the usual seven to 10 days."
The staying power comes courtesy of a "new fresh push of Arctic air coming down from the Yukon and Alaska" as the city continues to remain well north of the jet stream.
It also comes in marked contrast to the exceptionally balmy weather Prince George enjoyed a scant month ago.
"It's quite the flip of the switch actually, certainly one of the coldest starts to the month," MacDonald said.
There has also been a noticeable lack of snow with Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland taking the brunt in that aspect and a few flakes descending on the Okanagan.
"It's certainly a cold story for you, but no real snowfall," MacDonald said.
The norms for this time of year are highs just slightly below freezing and lows around -10 C.
No records have been set yet but there's a chance some will fall in the following days as the overnight lows flirt with -30 and colder. The daytime highs will be closed to record-setting but not quite, according to MacDonald.
The extreme cold prompted WorkSafeBC to issue a safety reminder for those working outside.
From 2011 to 2016 year to date, 72 workers in B.C. were injured, one fatally, resulting from exposure to cold. Cold-related injuries include frostbite, hypothermia and trench foot.
"In extreme temperatures, frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes without the proper clothing and equipment," WorkSafeBC director of prevention field services Dan Strand said.
Workers can be affected by frostbite from something as simple as working with wet gloves or removing gloves to put chains on tires.
Employers are required to do a cold stress assessment and implement a plan to prevent cold-related injuries. A cold exposure control plan must determine who is working where, what they will be exposed to and for how long.
Local homeless shelters have been filled to overflowing.
In all, 54 people bunked down at Bridget Moran Place over Thursday night, 14 more than capacity.
"It's busy, that's for darn sure," Active Support Against Poverty executive director Audrey Schwartz said. "But we do have a bit of extra space and of course there are mats on the floor and couches and whatever we can do because nobody needs to be out in this."
The shelter at Sixth and Dominion is welcoming donations of adult-size outer winter clothing, "particularly boots and coats."
The response has been good so far.
"This community is fantastic but with 54 people, plus we have tenants plus we have other clients, you can appreciate that donations come in and they go out," Schwartz said.
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Fact box
Tips for working outside in the cold
- Keep an eye on temperature and wind chill forecasts from Environment Canada and the Weather Channel
- Minimize exposed skin to cold temperatures and wind chill
- Layer clothing to allow perspiration to escape and trap heat
- Keep clothing dry
- Keep bare hands away from metal objects
- Stay hydrated but limit the amount of coffee and tea
- Work rested - fatigue is a risk factor in the cold
- Wear a hat - body heat escapes through the head
- Pace any vigorous work with scheduled breaks in warm and dry areas
From WorkSafeBC
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