Get your parkas ready, Victoria!
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of a massive cold front that will sweep over southern Vancouver Island beginning on Friday.
According to the national weather authority, arctic air will descend upon the island over the weekend and into the following week. Average temperatures are expected to be between five and 10 degrees lower than average for this time of year.
The arctic chill will be felt from Victoria all the way to Port Hardy and the rest of Vancouver Islands northernmost communities.
“Gusty winds will accompany the arrival of the cold air, and the wind chill will make it feel even colder,” Environment Canada said in its statement.
Environment Canada says that the outflow winds brought on with this approaching cold front will also be felt through the north and central coast of the mainland, once it is done sweeping through the island’s communities.
In Victoria, low temperatures for Sunday through Wednesday are expected to drop below zero degrees.
Late next week, Environment Canada says that temperatures will improve as January comes to a close.
“Temperatures are expected to gradually rise late next week, in early February. However, there remains significant uncertainty on the timing of a return to seasonal temperatures,” said Environment Canada.
