(Vancouver) Western Canada is not spared from the hazards of winter. Extreme cold in Western Canada has delayed air travel, disrupted traffic in some areas and put lives at risk as the cold snap continues through the weekend, according to Environment Canada.
The federal agency said temperatures in Edmonton dropped to -37 degrees Celsius Friday morning and could reach -40 degrees Celsius overnight, for the first time within the city limits since January 1972.
“To put things in context, what is considered normal for mid-January in the Edmonton area is a temperature of -8 to -16 degrees Celsius,” said Samantha Mauti, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
“Over the next few days we will see temperatures around -30 approaching -40 degrees Celsius. »
Frigid weather and wintry road conditions on Friday sparked a number of accidents in Alberta and British Columbia, as the mercury dropped to minus 36 degrees in Calgary and -13 degrees Celsius with a wind chill of – 24°C in Vancouver.
In Edmonton, Alberta Health Services said freezing temperatures caused an “air handling system issue” that disrupted heating in the emergency department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, forcing patients to be redirected to other hospitals for a certain period of time.
In Calgary, deep freezes led to flight delays and cancellations at the airport, while a power outage on the downtown light rail system forced its riders to wait in the cold.
Although such intense cold puts everyone at risk, Environment Canada says the risks are greatest for young children, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, people who work or exercise outdoors. outside and those who do not have adequate shelter.