UPDATED: Environment Canada continues Winter Storm Warning for Boundary/West Kootenay regions
By Lone Sheep Publishing
On Thursday, Environment Canada continued its Winter Storm Warning for the Boundary/West Kootenay regions, including Highway 3 Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.
Environment Canada said a long duration snowfall is expected until Friday morning with snow accumulations in the range of 20 to 40 cm.
“A Pacific system is bringing snow to the B.C. Interior,” Environment Canada website said.
“Snow, at times heavy, will continue today and tonight. Intensity of the snow may fluctuate due its convective nature. Heavy snow will taper off to flurries Friday morning.”
Environment Canada said the public should consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” Environment Canada said.
“Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”
Drivers should check the ShiftIntoWinter website before traveling and adjust to winter driving behaviour and use winter tires and chains.
Road conditions are available at DriveBC.
Winter Storm Warning issued for Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass
Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning Tuesday for Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.
Environment Canada said drivers should expect to see hazardous winter conditions for the next few days due to a long duration snowfall event.
“An approaching Pacific system will give snow to the B.C. Interior,” Environment Canada website said.
“Light snow will begin early this evening and intensify late this evening. Heavy snow will continue Wednesday and Thursday before tapering off to light snow or flurries by Thursday evening.”
Environment Canada said snow is expected to begin Tuesday evening, lasting until Thursday evening with snowfall accumulations expected between 40 to 70 cm for Kootenay Pass.
Environment Canada said the public traveling during the next few days should consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” Environment Canada said.
“Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”
Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.
Drivers should check the ShiftIntoWinter website before traveling and adjust to winter driving behaviour and use winter tires and chains.
Road conditions are available at DriveBC.
Here are some tips to keep safe this winter:
- Prepare for extreme cold: Environment Canada will issue arctic outflow warnings when extremely cold winds that can create wind chill values of -20 C or colder are forecast for six or more hours. Use caution and limit outdoor exposure under these conditions, as there is an increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Parents and pet owners should be particularly mindful of children and pets being outdoors during these times.
- Wear your winter gear: Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Dressing in layers, with a wind- and water-resistant outer layer, provides flexibility for changing conditions. Cover as much exposed skin as possible by wearing hats, scarves and gloves to avoid frostbite. Try to stay dry and change out of wet clothing as soon as possible.
- Be prepared for power outages: Severe weather can cause power outages. Be prepared for up to one week by developing a household emergency plan and putting together an emergency kit. If you come across a downed or damaged power line, assume it is live and a danger. Stay back at least 10 metres (the length of a bus) and call 911 immediately to report.
- Emergency shelters available: People in need of a warm, safe place to stay during the cold and wet winter months will have access to additional emergency shelter spaces. All shelters, including extreme-weather response shelters, are open throughout B.C. This winter, the Province is providing more than 1,900 temporary shelter spaces and nearly 360 extreme-weather response shelter spaces to ensure people experiencing homelessness have a warm place to sleep and get out of the cold and rain. These emergency shelters supplement more than 2,250 permanent, year-round shelter spaces. The extreme weather response shelters are available overnight when a community issues an extreme-weather alert.
- Be prepared on the road: People should bring warm clothing that does not restrict movement when driving and ensure their vehicles are equipped with a full tank of fuel, a windshield scraper and snow brush, food and water, a first-aid kit and other emergency supplies. If stuck or stranded, people should stay in their vehicles and call 911 for roadside assistance.
