Extreme cold hits B.C.'s South Coast, with temperatures feeling as low as 25 C with wind chill

Extreme cold continued to settle over parts of the province's South Coast on Wednesday, on the heels of heavy snow that grounded flights, jammed roads and delayed ferries.

B.C. Ferries cancelled two Thursday morning sailings connecting Metro Vancouver and Nanaimo, with both the5:15a.m. sailing fromTsawwassento Duke Point and a 7:45 a.m. sailing fromDuke Point toTsawwassencalled off due to thebuildup of ice and snow on vehicle decks.

Travellers canuse the route between Horseshoe Bay andDeparture Bay as an alternative, B.C. Ferries said.

Environment Canada warnedbitterly cold temperatures and strong winds could make it feel between 20 C and 25C in Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands on Wednesday, and closer to 30C inthe Fraser Valley.

The weather agency said a "significant winter storm" is expected to hit the region Thursday night, leading tochallenging travel conditions.

The South Coast could see 10 to 20 centimetres of snowfall from Thursday night to Saturday, and heavy snow could be followed by freezing rain.

The frigid conditions are continuingto cause travel chaos across the region, especially at Vancouver International Airport, where dozens of flights have been cancelled again on Wednesday.

B.C.'s Transportation Ministry closed part ofHighway 5 between Othello, just east of Hopeand Merritt due to wintry conditions.

The ministry says high Arctic outflow winds are blowing away the sand that has been put down for traction. The section will stay closed until the winds ease and contractors can get the road ready for drivers.

Early Wednesday sailing cancellations

B.C. Ferries had cancelled a number of sailings earlier Wednesday because pipes were bursting and equipment on the boats werefreezing, including the throttle on a rescue boat.

"We do need that piece of equipment to sail in the unlikely event of an emergency," B.C. Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall told CBC News.

Marshall said the heavy snowfall overnight on Monday and into Tuesday morning affected 13 routes in Nanaimo and south of Nanaimo, causing about 100 ferry cancellations.

"Our crew were not able to get to the terminals in many instances due to the heavy snow on the roads and the fact that they hadn't been plowed," she added.

WATCH | B.C. Ferries passengers talk about their delays:

Cold weather causing delays at B.C. Ferries

2 years ago

Duration 1:28

Cold weather is causing delays to ferry sailings in B.C., with passengers waiting several hours for rides.

Travellers who were waiting over two hours at the port to get on the ferry Wednesday morningsaid they had expected delays.

"You kind of expect it on days with this much snow it's part of the travel day, so we're expecting delays everywhere we go," said Kevin Bradshaw of Ucluelet, B.C., who is returning home with his family.

Arlene King, another passenger who is visiting family in Duke Point, the extreme southeastern part of Nanaimo, said she was a bit disappointed by the delay, but it's understandable given the severe weather.

"I think we all have to be patient at this time of the year. Everyone's doing their best."

The ferry operatoradvised passengers to check the B.C. Ferries website before heading to the terminals as more cancellations could happen.

TransLinkalso warned of transit delays Wednesday in Metro Vancouver, with SkyTrain running a reduced service and buses taking it slow on slippery roads.

It said unnecessary travel should be avoided.

Driverswere encouraged to consult the DriveBCwebsiteor visit its Twitter pagefor updates on road conditions, closures and reports about crashes or other incidents. Those without winter tires on their vehicles were being urged to stay at home or take transit.

Northern, Interior B.C. dangerously frigid

Winter weather warnings covered most of B.C. on Wednesday, as temperatures dippedeven lower in the Interior, the north and southeast. Environment Canada said many areas could see temperatures sink to25C or30 C but will feelas cold as 40 C with wind chill.

On the central and north coasts, Arctic outflow winds were expected to reach up to 100 km/h.

"There's always the risk of frostbite, especially when he gets down below 20 C," said Environment Canada meteorologist Greg Walters. "The main thing is to dress as warm as you can, certainly cover your face if you have a balaclava, and just really try and limit exposure to outdoor conditions."

Walters said temperatures will start to warm on Friday, though not by much.

"It's still going to be cold but the real,extreme cold conditions that are being experienced by almost all the Interior regions will get certainly milder," he said.

Minimum daily temperature records were broken in parts of B.C. on Tuesday, Environment Canada said, with the Dease Lake area hitting a new low of43.1 C. Fort St. John and Fort Nelson also broke daily records at 41 C and 40.8 C, respectively.

Extreme cold has gripped much of western and central Canada, with warnings in effect for most of B.C. and Alberta, as well as parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Yukon.

WATCH |Southern B.C. blanketed with heavy snow, residents asked to stay home:

Southern B.C. blanketed with heavy snow, residents asked to stay home

2 years ago

Duration 4:34

Snow buried much of southern B.C. overnight and through the day, with up to 30 centimetres falling in some places. People were asked to stay home, and those who couldnt faced treacherous conditions.