B.C. Residents Encouraged To Prepare For Winter Weather

After a warm start to winter across much of the province, British Columbians are being encouraged to prepare for colder weather and winter road conditions in the days and weeks ahead.

As noted with the temp this week, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has forecast a return to seasonal, cooler temperatures and issued a series of snowfall and wind warnings for many regions of the province and even colder in other parts of the province - Environment Canada warning of -50 degree wind chills in some northern parts of BC.

Motorists are urged to be prepared for changing road conditions and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions are bad.

People who use the backcountry for recreational activities are urged to be mindful of conditions and use extreme caution in mountainous terrain.

The Province has created a new multi-language winter-weather and storm-preparedness guide to help people get ready for severe winter weather.

The guide is available in Punjabi, simplified and traditional Chinese, French and English on the PreparedBC website.

As we are seeing in Campbell River, during cold weather, emergency warming centres and general warming space locations may be listed on EmergencyMapBC.ca at the discretion of First Nations and local authorities.

Emergency shelter spaces are also available through BC Housing for people in need of a warm, safe place to stay.

This winter, the Province is funding more than 5,500 shelter spaces in 55 communities, including permanent, temporary, and extreme-weather response shelters.

For more information, visit Government of British Columbia.