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Elk Valley added to Extreme Cold Warning
Environment Canada earlier today added the Elk Valley to an Extreme Cold Warning it issued Dec. 26 for the Kootenay National Park area.
A period of very cold wind chills is expected, stretching from today (Dec. 29) through to Dec. 31.
“An arctic ridge of high pressure will allow temperatures to drop to about minus 24 Celsius tonight. This combined with easterly winds of 20 to 30 km/h will result in extreme wind chill values near minus 35 developing overnight. Wind chill values will improve Saturday morning as winds ease and temperatures moderate,” Environment Canada forecasts for the Elk Valley.
The rest of the region may experience low temperatures in the -20 C range.
Environment Canada recommends those venturing outside to dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant. Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia.
The cold snap is expected to begin tapering off January 1.
Meanwhile, regional highways are winter-bound at this time, with conditions ranging from compact snow with slippery sections to black ice, such as on Highway 3/93 between Moyie and Wardner, Highway 95A between Cranbrook and Kimberley and Highway 93/95 between Fort Steele and Wasa, according to DriveBC.
Lead image: Highway 43 near Line Creek. DriveBC images
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