Warming centres are opening in New Westminster in an effort to keep folks safe as the temperatures plummet.
At noon on Thursday, Jan. 11, Weatherhood reported that it was -1Celsius in New West, but it felt like -8 with the wind chill. The forecast calls for the temperature to drop – potentially reaching -16 at 3 a.m.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an Arctic outflow warning, saying the “first Arctic intrusion of the year is on the horizon.” With wind chill values, temperatures in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Fraser Valley and Southern Gulf Islands could drop to -20, creating a risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
“Arctic air combined with strong outflow winds gusting to 60 km/h will generate wind chill values of minus 20 beginning tonight,” said the warning. “Wind chill values may moderate on Saturday afternoon but uncertainty remains on the timing of the warm-up.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors.
“Any skin exposure will result in frostbite,” stated the warning. “If outside, dress warmly in layers and stay dry. Cover as much exposed skin as possible to avoid frostbite.”
In response to the cold weather, a warming centre will open in New Westminster at 40 Begbie St. (access off of Alexander Street, just off of Carnarvon Street.) It will be open from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. nightly from Thursday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 14.
Lynda Fletcher-Gordon, acting executive director of the Lower Mainland Propose Society, outlined what the society has set up for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help folks stay warm:
Thursday (today)
- The Purpose office at 40 Begbie St. serves as a warming space: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The nightly shelter (502 Columbia St. – enter from Front Street) is open: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- The safe injection site (40 Begbie St. – enter from Alexander St.) becomes a warming space when the health contact centre closes: 10.30 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- The nightly shelter at 502 Columbia St. becomes warming space during the day: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The nightly shelter at 502 Columbia St. is open: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- The safe injection site becomes warming space: 10:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Food and drinks will be available for folks at the warming space and nightly shelter.
Donations of warm jackets, hand warmers, gloves and toques that can be given out to folks in need can be dropped off at the Purpose Society, 40 Begbie St. The office is open Monday to Friday, but donations can be dropped off at the safe consumption site, which is accessed via Alexander Street, on the weekend.
According to Weatherhood, cold weather is forecast to continue through the weekend and into early next week, before rising above 0C on Wednesday.
