Canada is about to be hit with some major winter weather, and Environment Canada has already issued a series of warnings for the affected provinces and territories.
From cold to snow weather alerts, winter is coming in full-force now.
Snow, Blizzards and Cold
Provinces Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are all under orange weather alerts, as well as the territory Nunavut. According to the new colour-coded alert system, orange warnings mean that “severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.” These impacts can be major, widespread, and/or may last for multiple days.
As for the provinces, they will be facing a “multi-day episode of very cold wind chills.” Parts of Ontario should expect wind chill values of 40 to minus 45, which will continue throughout the weekend. Moreover, practically all of Saskatchewan is under the same cold weather warning, with the exception of a small area in the province’s southwest corner.
Nunavut is under a blizzard warning; “gusty winds and persistent visibility near zero in snow and blowing snow are expected.” These near-zero visibilities will persist through multiple days, although conditions should improve on Saturday.
Environment Canada warns that “extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.”
What About B.C.?
While the rest of Canada is freezing, B.C. is instead dealing with fog. Temperatures may be chilly, but they’re thankfully not at the same level as the the eastern side of the country. Across parts of Metro Vancouver, near-zero visibility in fog continues. Environment Canada says that the fog is due to “a ridge of high pressure off the coast of BC [which] is trapping moisture near the surface.”
Visibilities are expected to improve in some areas this afternoon, although the fog may continue to linger into Friday morning. Environment Canada also notes to “expect slippery and icy conditions in low-lying areas where the combination of fog patches and below freezing temperatures will allow black ice to form.”
