A warming trend is in the forecast for much of British Columbia after several days of record-breaking temperatures, but the cold weather on the Prairies will continue.
Environment Canada says temperatures are rising, but issued a special weather statement warning of freezing rain mixed with snow for parts of Vancouver Island, including Greater Victoria and the Malahat Highway, as well as Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
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⚠️ WEATHER ALERT ⚠️
❄️ Potential for snow for #VancouverIsland & #YVR as a moisture packed low collides with arctic air. Risk of freezing rain or ice pellets overnight Tues-Wed AM. More @CHEK_News at 5. @CHEK_media #BCwx #yyj #ycd #yqq pic.twitter.com/8VzvlJqVzi— Tess van Straaten (@tessvanstraaten) January 15, 2024
Other parts of South Vancouver Island, as well as East Vancouver Island, Inland Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and parts of B.C.’s mainland, are also included in the statement, which was issued Sunday. Places like Whistler and B.C.’s north coast are under weather warnings due to snow or Arctic outflow.
“On Tuesday, a Pacific low-pressure system will approach the coast from the west. The moisture from this system will interact with arctic air already in place over the south coast to bring snow to most areas,” the weather agency said.
“Greater Victoria will likely see a transition to rain or showers on Wednesday.”
Environment Canada warns that the potential for heavy snow and freezing rain during this time could pose a hazard to travel and outdoor activities.
Road maintenance company Emcon Services Inc. South Island Division posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday evening, saying more winter weather was expected. It urged drivers to monitor DriveBC for current weather and road conditions.
Temperatures in Alberta, meanwhile, are forecast to start to moderate today and through the week, but it will remain cold. Calgary and Edmonton have been experiencing wind chills as high as -50C over the weekend, but Environment Canada says the daily low temperatures will drop to -21C.
Environment Canada says despite the somewhat warmer temperatures in Alberta, frostbite warnings will remain in effect.
B.C.’s public power utility, BC Hydro, says the extreme cold drove peak hourly electricity demand across the province to a record high on Friday night, reaching 11,300 megawatts.
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More winter weather is expected on Tue & Wed for #VanIsle. ❄️ Arctic air & moisture from a Pacific low pressure system to unleash a mix of rain, freezing rain & snow!
Monitor #DriveBC for current weather & road conditions!#ShiftIntoWinter#BCHwys#YYJtraffic#ServiceArea1 pic.twitter.com/p9dSP0p5Dr— Emcon Services Inc. – South Island Division (@EmconSouthVI) January 15, 2024
The Canadian Press
CHEK News
