Environment Canada is keeping an eye on a possible winter storm that could bring up to 25 centimetres of snow to Greater Victoria on Friday and Saturday. That's on top of a combination of colder-than-normal temperatures and wind that could make it feel like it's -25 C outside.
The winter storm watch is in place for most of Vancouver Island, but only Greater Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands also have an "arctic outflow" on cold temperatures and wind chill.
Wind chill is the combined effect of temperature and wind. A wind chill of -25 C means your face will feel as cold outside as if it were a calm day with a temperature of -25 C.
The temperature without the wind chill is forecast to be -4 C tonight.
Residents are advised to minimize exposed skin by wearing hats, scarves and mittens or gloves. Pets and outdoors animals should have proper shelter.
The agency says the situation is caused by rising surface pressures over the B.C. Interior that drives arctic air through mainland valleys and inlets, creating strong winds and frigid temperatures.
Temperatures over interior regions will be 10 to 20 degrees below the seasonal average, while coastal areas will be five to 10 degrees below average — “making for the coldest conditions this season,” Environment Canada says.
The conditions are expected to continue all week.
