The cold snap B.C. is currently experiencing thanks to a blast of Arctic air is expected to push temperatures to near record lows this weekend.
“We are forecasting for Vancouver lows in the -9 to -10 C range on the weekend. I do believe if we dig into the record books, it’s close,” said Doug Lundquist, Environment Canada meteorologist.
Thankfully, the wind speeds on the North Shore are not as high as those in the southern part of Vancouver where it is expected to feel like -15 to -17 C.
Paradoxically, high winds tend to keep the temperature up but add the wind chill factor, which is formulated based on temperature, wind speed and the rate at which heat leaves the human body’s skin, making it just as unpalatable.
“Either we keep the wind up and the temperature stays up but the wind chill is high, or we let the wind die down and the temperature drops, so we can’t win for losing on this one,” Lundquist said.
The cold snap is particularly nasty for the North Shore’s homeless who have been coming in greater and greater numbers to the Lookout Emergency Aid Shelter in North Vancouver.
“As it gets colder, we’re starting to see more people coming in, and they’re sticking around all day so we’re pretty busy,” said Linda Fox, shelter manager. “The community has been really good in bringing us extra blankets and extra sweaters and gloves and hats.”
The shelter also has an extra outreach worker on shift going out to known hang-outs for people living outdoors to make sure they know they’re welcome to a warm, safe spot to sleep and a meal at the shelter.
North Shore residents can help by alerting shelter staff if they see anyone who looks like they’re stuck outside in the cold.
“Let us know where they are so we can at least try and go touch base. Minus 15 C is pretty cold for someone to be sleeping outside,” Fox said.
