Environment Canada has issued arctic outflow and extreme cold warnings for much of the province.
Forecasters are warning the arctic air, combined with strong outflow winds gusting up to 60 km/h, has generated wind chill values of -20.
In the Lower Mainland, thanks to snow and ice, the afternoon commute on Thursday turned into a chaotic evening for many drivers.
The snow arrived at the start of rush hour.
Routes like Highway 1 through the North Shore to Burnaby Lake slowed to a crawl, then roads turned icy.
In Richmond, Highway 91 eastbound was closed for several hours due to a 17-car pileup.
Police said icy conditions were to blame and no one was injured.
Cars littered the side of Royal Oak Avenue in Burnaby, where the ice and incline were too much.
Many drivers appear to have left their vehicles behind due to the conditions across Metro Vancouver.
Davie Street in Vancouver appeared to be a sheet of ice, a troublesome spot as well, with buses stuck from Denman Street to Jervis Street.
No matter where drivers were north of the Fraser River, everywhere was slow and slippery.
Firefighters in Vancouver and Burnaby urged the public to not drive Thursday night unless necessary.
It was a much different story south of the Fraser River, where there was some snow and conditions not as treacherous.
The extreme cold is causing a risk of hypothermia and frostbite, which can develop in minutes after skin exposure.
Those who do go outside are being told to watch for symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, or fingers and toes changing colour.
The risks are higher for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, those working outside and individuals without proper shelter.
Comments