Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the Prince George, Stuart-Nechako, The Lakes District, McGregor, Williston areas.
An arctic airmass over northern B.C. will bring temperatures between near -30 and -40 degrees Celsius. These temperatures combined with northerly winds up to 20 km/h will generate cold wind chill values of -40 to -45 degrees Celsius. The cold wind chills is forecast to last until Saturday morning when temperatures begin to moderate.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes. Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
Check on older family, friends and neighbours. Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.