UPDATE: Highway 20 is reopened
Original Story:
An arctic outflow warning continues to be in effect for the Bella Coola Valley.
Environment Canada warns of strong outflow winds and very cold wind chills Monday.
A downed tree across the highway just east of Firvale has closed Highway 20 early Monday morning with no detour available.
The tree is down between Hammer Road and Corbould Drive. Estimated time of reopening is 8 a.m.
The temperature sits at -14C Monday morning but feels much colder with the wind chill.
The good news is the cold should release its grip over the area by mid-week.
A daytime temperature of -1C and snow is in the forecast for Wednesday.
Just one bus route in the Williams Lake area is not running Monday due to the extreme cold.
School bus #18 servicing the Big Lake area is not running Monday, Feb.4 due to the cold weather, according to the district website.
An extreme cold warning persists in the Cariboo Chilcotin Monday morning with a temperature of -27C at 6 a.m.
Skies will clear this afternoon and the daytime temperature will rise to -20C before dipping back down to -27C Monday night .
A period of very cold wind chill persists and Environment Canada is warning of a risk of frostbite with the extreme cold.
Drive BC is reporting compact snow with some slippery sections on most Cariboo highways.
The cold weather in Williams Lake has resulted in an increase in use at the local homeless shelter and staff keeping the facility open day and night to accommodate those in need.
Read More:Williams Lake homeless shelter remains open day and night due to extreme cold
Read More: Community effort to help homeless senior and dog in extreme weather reunites family
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