The much-talked-about first Arctic flow of the year hits Greater Victoria Thursday with a promise of snow and wind chills expected below -20 C.
Environment Canada issued a weather warning late Wednesday (Jan. 10) of the strong Arctic air headed our way.
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Thursday could see significant snow on the Malahat, Environment Canada warns, with specific amounts and locations unclear.
“There is potential for significant snowfall for parts of East Vancouver Island. The snow is forecast to develop later this afternoon over Malahat Highway and Duncan area. The band of snow is expected to move north and stall over Nanaimo area tonight and could continue over Fanny Bay area on Friday. Snow could potentially impact the evening commute tonight and morning commute on Friday,” a special weather statement reads.
About 2 cm of snow is also expected in Greater Victoria as clouds are expected to roll in near noon and snow tapering off around midnight.
READ ALSO: Arctic weather intrusion into B.C. could bring -55C wind chill in places
Friday’s daytime high is forecast at -7, with temperatures rising from there – with no snow in the forecast.
Winds are expected to gust to 60 km/h bringing with them wind chill values of -20 C on Thursday night.
Wind chill values may moderate on Saturday afternoon but uncertainty remains on the timing of the warm-up, according to Environment Canada, warning there is a risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Both can occur within minutes without proper precautions.
Snow may return to the Capital Region, with rain, by Tuesday (Jan. 16).
