Arctic air puts British Columbia into a deep freeze

Jan 11, 2017 | 7:56 AM

KAMLOOPS — Environment Canada has issued a cold weather warning for the Merritt area after a bitterly cold night.

Meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau says the temperature got down to about minus -35°C with windchill in the Nicola Valley.

The mercury reached minus -24°C in Kamloops, but Charbonneau says the good news is, last night was probably the coldest of the week.

“It looks like this morning it may have been the coldest. Well we expect this ridge of high pressure that is built in from the north, and the cold Arctic air that is in place to remain, tonight we are looking at it to be a little bit warmer. A low of -20°C, if you can call that warmer,” explained Charbonneau.

Charbonneau says dressing in layers of synthetic and wool fabrics is the best way for people to protect themselves against the cold.

“Clothing is the first line of defence. Dressing in layers, wind resistant layers – the wind can really compond the feeling of cold. Of course, it is imporant to always remain dry.”

She adds the weather should turn more seasonal toward the latter part of the weekend, with a high of +3°C predicted on Monday.
 

WEATHER: Click here for the latest Kamloops forecast