With Arctic-like conditions set to sweep the Lower Mainland over the Christmas weekend, a warming centre has opened in Richmond.
The South Arm Pool Warming Centre opened earlier this week and will remain open until at least Sunday, Dec. 26.
Its operating hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to provide basic accommodation and services for Richmond residents experiencing homelessness.
According to Environment Canada, wet snow or rain will slide over Richmond on Thursday evening, with temperatures hovering above freezing.
More of the same is expected for Christmas Eve during the day, with wet snow or flurries later in the evening as the mercury drops to zero.
Snow flurries are forecast for Vancouver International Airport on Christmas Day and the temperatures will dip from a daytime high of plus 2 to minus 5 in the evening.
More flurries are expected on Boxing Day on Sunday, when the temperature is expected to plummet to -10 in the evening.
“We are once again facing the potential for extreme weather in our province,” said Mike Farnworth, B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“It is imperative that we all watch the weather carefully and look out for those who are most vulnerable.”
Drivers are reminded to plan ahead and drive according to weather and road conditions if they must travel during the upcoming holiday season.
This is especially important, given the impacts of the floods that caused significant damage to British Columbia’s highways and roads.
Highway 5 is available to commercial vehicles with a minimum licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms.
With most commercial vehicles moving to Highway 5, travel restrictions have been lifted from highways 3 and 99.
However, Highway 99 has weight restrictions in effect, and vehicles weighing more than 14,500 kilograms are not permitted to travel the route.
Highways 3 and 99 are mountainous routes with steep grades and winding curves, and weather and road conditions can change quickly.
People who are not experienced with winter driving in the mountains are urged to use extreme caution on both routes and may want to consider alternatives for travel between the Lower Mainland and Interior.
