Tuesday’s -36 wind chill brings risk of frostbite to Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Tuesday’s temperatures in Fort St. John are forecasted to drop as low as -23 degrees, with wind gusts reaching 50 kilometres per hour, making it feel as cold as -36 degrees and bringing a risk of frostbite to the area.

According to Environment Canada, Fort St. John residents can expect to see two to four centimetres of snowfall on Tuesday during the day and a 40 per cent chance of flurries overnight. 

Tuesday’s overnight temperatures are expected to drop down to a low of -29 degrees, with a wind chill of -42 degrees, which could cause frostbite within minutes of exposure to the cold. 

A risk of frostbite is expected to remain on Wednesday, with temperatures dropping as low as -28 degrees and a wind chill near -43 degrees. 

Environment Canada advises the public to dress in warm layers with a wind resistant outer layer. Residents are also reminded synthetic and wool fabrics work well as insulators. 

Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up, and anyone outside should keep moving to maintain body heat and seek shelter from the wind.

Environment Canada says frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. Frostbite symptoms include numb skin, appearing yellowish or white and hard to the touch, numbness, a tingling sensation, and swelling. 

Frostbite can lead to nerve damage, blistering, and even amputation. 

More information about how to stay safe in the cold weather, along with a current forecast, can be found on Environment Canada’s website.