New records broken as extreme cold and snowfall warnings persist across B.C. Interior and north

Schools remainedopen across most of B.C.'s Interior and north,but many bus runs were cancelled throughout the regions as temperatures dipped to new record lows.

According to Environment Canada, seven spots in the province hit record-breaking extremes for Jan.15, including Bella Bella at 12.8 C, Burns Lake at 44.1 C, Clinton at 33.3 C, Prince George at 44.4 C, Puntzi Mountain at 48.8 C, Quesnel at -41.9 C and Tatlayoko Lake at 35.4 C.

The last time Quesnel reached 40 C was in 1991, however temperatures are expected to gradually rise later this week.

In the areas of Bulkley Valley, Muncho Lake Park, Fort Nelson and 100 Mile,the extreme cold warnings were lifted around 4 p.m. PT.

In the meantime, in Prince George, crews workedto repair water main breaks today in dangerously cold conditions.

City spokesperson Mike Kellett said the downtown break,at SixthAvenueand Winnipeg Streetappears to be related to the cold weather due to the age of the utilityinstalled in 1956.

Kellett said asecond break in the Southridge neighbourhood of College Heights appears to be unrelated to the cold, but the frigid temperatures aremaking it difficult for crews to repair the line and restore serviceand some people may be without water until late Thursdaywhen the temperature is expected to rise.

WATCH: City crews and locals in Prince George battle record-breaking cold weather Wednesday

Frigid cold causes problems for city crews in Prince George

5 years ago

Duration 0:22

Temperatures in Prince George, B.C. plunged below -40 Wednesday, causing problems for city crew. Water main breaks flooded streets downtown and in College Heights, and snow clearing operations were canceled over fears the deep freeze could damage equipment.

Environment Canada says bitterly cold Arctic air will remainacross most of the central and northernInterior and parts of the southern Interior, with wind chill values upto 40 C.

On the central and north coasts there is a freezing spray warningand Arctic outflow warning in effect, with severely cold and hurricane force winds expected.

Freezing spray occurs when a combination of below freezing temperatures and strong winds causewind-generated spray to freeze and accumulate on marine infrastructure near the water.

Prince George also has an air quality statement in effect. Environment Canada says that stagnant winter conditions are creating higher pollution levels.

The city announced it issuspending snow and ice operationsfor the next 24 hours, because the extreme cold could damage equipment.

Kamloops Fire and Rescue is warning people to be careful around river ice right now. In some areas ofthe north and south Thompson Rivers the ice is thick, but in others, the current creates very thin ice causing it to break up quickly.

Jamie Chase with the fire department's ice rescue team, said ice conditions are exceptionally hazardous right now and is cautioning dog owners to be especially careful while walking near the river.

Buses cancelled butschools open

WorkSafeBC has issued a reminderabout the risks of cold-weather work, warning that plunging temperatures can lead to frostbite, hypothermia and even deathif people remain outside too long.

For that reason, several school districts in northern and central B.C have opted to cancel school buses so students aren't left waiting outside.

"It's pretty severe," said Kathy Whalen, the supervisor of transportation for School District 54 in the Bulkley Valley, where buses have been cancelled for the past few days.

But schools remain open for the same reason, ensuring students won't be left outside in dangerously cold conditions.

Parents are advised to check with their local district every morning to monitor changing conditions and whether the buses in their area are still running.

"Normally I don't make a decision until the morning of, because things can change," Whalen said.

Travel

Visibility is expected to be be limited on the Coquihalla Highway, the Okanagan Connectorand Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon. Heavy snow is expected to continue into Wednesdayevening and Thursday morning.

Mostof the snowfall on the Coquihalla isexpectedbetween Merritt and Hope.

Environment Canada is warning that heavy snowfall is expected Wednesday evening for Highway 3, from the Paulson Summit to the Kootenay Pass, continuing into Thursday morning. About 30 to 40 centimetres of snow is expected.

All sailings for the McLureFerry north of Kamloops remain cancelled, as well as sailings for the Little Fort Ferry.

Check Drive BC for the latest road conditions.

Mail delays

Canada Post says mail delivery is suspended Wednesdaybecause of weather conditions in the Greater Vancouver Area, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island regions.

The rest of the province may experience delays as well.

Subscribe toDaybreak NorthonCBC Listenor yourfavourite podcast app, and connect with CBC Northern British Columbia onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram.