Victoria will see temperatures reach as low as -20°C with the added windchill today.
What Environment Canada is touting as the “first Arctic intrusion of the year” is an Arctic outflow warning that brings with it strong winds, cold temperatures and snow.
An Arctic outflow is a strong and often violent wind occurring in many of the fjords, inlets and valleys of British Columbia that can extend to urban communities if powerful enough.
“Arctic air combined with strong outflow winds gusting up to 60 km/h will generate wind chill values of minus 20,” Environment Canada wrote in their weather warning.
“Wind chill values will likely moderate Saturday afternoon but wind chill values may remain near minus 10 to minus 20 through Sunday morning.”
Related:
- Environment Canada warns Victorians of frostbite with extreme cold temperatures
- Victoria to only open emergency warming shelters if deemed necessary
The weather authority warns that frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if outdoors and any skin exposure will result in frostbite under certain conditions.
Environment Canada suggests that if outside, dress warmly in layers and stay dry. The more skin coverage individuals have, the less likely they are to be impacted by frostbite.
This Arctic outflow warning will continue through until the afternoon of Saturday, January 13th in Greater Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Stay safe and monitor the weather before heading out.
By Monday, January 15th, daily highs will be positive once again, according to Environment Canada.
