Dawson Creek sets new temperature record amid warm spell in Peace region

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River region has recently been experiencing a stretch of unseasonably warm winter weather, with some communities even setting temperature records.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon, the warmth is being driven by a shift in the broader weather pattern over B.C.

“What we’ve seen is a strong area of high pressure building over the interior of B.C., and that comes with the atmospheric river we had over the last three days on the coast,” Sekhon told Energeticcity.ca.

“That combination has pumped all this warm air up from the south into pretty much all of B.C.”

This comes after a start to the winter which saw near-record amounts of snow fall across the region.

Sekhon said southwesterly winds, or downslope winds coming off the Northern Rockies, have also played a key role. Those winds tend to warm as they descend, further boosting temperatures in northeastern B.C.

As a result, parts of the region have seen daytime highs more typical of early spring than mid January. 

In Dawson Creek, the warmth was strong enough to break a long-standing daytime temperature record.

According to Sekhon, the city reached a high of 8.5 C on Monday, January 12th, surpassing the date’s previous record of 7.9 C set in 1986.

Looking ahead, Sekhon said above-normal temperatures are expected to persist into the weekend and likely into early next week, with some minor fluctuations. 

A return to cooler, more seasonal conditions could arrive by the middle of next week, though he said forecast details will become clearer closer to that time.

Due to warmer conditions, the City of Dawson Creek urged residents to take steps to reduce flooding and ice hazards caused by increased snowmelt in a Facebook post on January 12th. 

Recommendations include clearing snow away from building foundations and doorways, checking eavestroughs and downspouts and watching for meltwater that may refreeze overnight and create icy patches.

The city also advised residents to slow down when walking or driving and to use sand or other traction materials where possible.

“A little prevention goes a long way in keeping everyone safe as conditions change,” the city said.