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Extreme cold and snowfall warnings for East Kootenay
Environment Canada this afternoon issued extreme cold and snowfall warnings for all the East Kootenay.
A prolonged period of unseasonably cold temperatures will continue for the majority of this week.’
A cold arctic air mass has settled over the region. Temperatures near minus 25 to minus 30 degrees Celsius with northeast winds up to 15 km/h will result in wind chill values near minus 40 except Yoho National Park where wind chill values may dip to near minus 50, through to Thursday.
Temperatures will slowly rise Thursday and Friday, raising wind chill values above minus 35.
Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 20 cm is also expected throughout the region, as well as in West Kootenay, Kootenay Lake and Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.
A warm front will brush southern B.C. bringing heavy snow to the Kootenays on Tuesday.
Snow will begin Tuesday morning and end Tuesday night. A total of 15 to 20 cm of snow is forecast. Communities near the U.S. border will see the highest accumulations.
Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.
If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.
e-KNOW file photo
e-KNOW
