(UPDATED) Extreme cold warning issued as near -40C wind chills forecast in Peace region

Update: On February 2nd, Environment Canada updated its extreme cold warning to include the mornings of Monday, February 3rd and Tuesday, February 4th. It says temperatures will warm during the days but the near -40C wind chills are expected to return overnight and into the mornings.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An extreme cold weather warning has been issued for Fort St. John and Dawson Creek as wind chills are expected to plunge to near -40C overnight.

Environment Canada has warned strong winds and cold temperatures in the Peace region will combine to produce near -40C wind chill values from the evening of Friday, January 31st into the morning of Saturday, February 1st.

It says extreme cold like this “puts everyone at risk”, and advised residents to dress in warm clothes with a wind-resistant outer layer.

Anyone who experiences colour changes on their fingers and toes, pain, numbness, tingling or swelling should move indoors immediately to warm up, it said.

Wind chills are expected to “moderate” during the day on Saturday as temperatures rise, the warning says.

The extreme cold warning was issued at around 8:30 p.m. on January 31st.

To report severe weather, email BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.