Shelters around Victoria have been keeping pace with demand in the cold, snowy weather, with 415 spaces available overnight Thursday.
“We’ve been managing quite nicely,” said Jen Wilde, regional co-ordinator for the Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol.
“This is the beginning of the season, so we’re still doing quite well.”
The “temperature trigger” for the protocol to kick in is an overnight low of -1 C, but snow, wind and rain are also considered, Wilde said.
“We have been open through this entire spell.”
Temperatures around the region are forecast to remain low before a “transition” starts on Saturday, said Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan. Today’s daytime high is expected to be 1, followed by an overnight low of -4.
Wednesday featured a record low for Dec. 14 at Victoria International Airport with -6.4. The previous record in the area was -5.6 set in 1914 and matched in 1926.
Snow is a possibility Saturday night and into Sunday, Castellan said.
“For the moment, it looks like a small snow event followed by a lot of rain through the first half of next week,” he said.
“We probably will see flakes and we might see it stick a little bit on the ground.”
Sunday’s daytime high could reach 5, followed by 10 on Monday.
Accommodation offered through the Extreme Weather Protocol combines the region’s 160 year-round shelter spaces and 145 seasonal spaces with added spaces that open up as needed.
Wilde said 366 people were using the shelters Tuesday night, and every shelter included in the protocol has had extra space of late.
“We still have beds available right now, is the message that I put out there.”
Shelter sites include the Cool Aid Society’s Rock Bay Landing and Sandy Merriman House, the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre and Our Place.
As usual, changes in weather conditions have had an effect on shelter usage, Wilde said.
“The numbers are obviously going to shift every day depending on what’s going on out there.”
The protocol helps the region’s vulnerable people, Wilde said, including those who can’t use certain shelters because of behavioural or other issues.
She said donations of winter clothing are always appreciated.
“We can always use mitts, hats, scarves, jackets and wool socks,” she said. “It certainly helps to be able to replace them for people when they come in.”
Donations can be dropped off at Our Place, Rock Bay Landing or the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre, or send an email to [email protected].
