Extreme cold and drifting snow closed several local roads temporarily and cut off power to thousands of Chilliwackians.
City of Chilliwack Public Works reported a number of road closures, which were to be cleared up as soon as equipment became available.
Prest, South Sumas, Evans and Chilliwack Central Roads were closed at different times due to drifting snow.
Vedder Road was closed by RCMP due to downed power lines. The closure is between Manual and Stevenson.
It wasn’t exactly ‘snow-mageddon’ in the ‘Wack, but there was significant accumulation of snow on the ground, with arctic winds and flurries sweeping across the eastern Fraser Valley.
Chilliwack transit buses were running but service was delayed, and handyDART was down to essential services only.
Extreme cold conditions continue with wind chill factor from -25 C to -30 C range, were reported by Roger Pannett, volunteer weather observer for Environment Canada.
Overnight temperature was at -13.7 C, which is about 15 degrees below normal. Low record for the day was -15.6 C in 1935. In fact reaching the -13.7 C mark makes it the coldest temperature since the -13.7 on December 28 and 29 of 1996.
City of Chilliwack has had 10 snowplows with sanders working around the clock in 12-hour shifts since Friday. They’re striving to keep the main roads clear on a priority system, with more details at www.chilliwack.com by clicking on the ice and snow program link. Weather forecasts and warnings at www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca.
Check out highway conditions at www.drive.bc.ca.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
twitter.com/CHWKjourno
