Blizzard Warning in Effect

Sunday, January 04, 2009 09:33 AM

Red areas indicate warnings for wind, blizzard, heavy snow. Map courtesy Environment Canada

Prince George, B.C.- As the map indicates, there are warnings throughout the Province as a strong new weather system moves into the region. For areas on the coast, there is a wind warning, but as you move inland, there are snowfall wind and blizzard warnings.

Strong southerly winds will develop near noon and combine with heavy snow to produce localized blizzard conditions over the Prince George regions. This is a warning that blizzard conditions with near-zero visibilities are expected.

A strong moisture laden pacific frontal system will spread heavy snow into the British Columbia interior today. Snow will develop in the central and northern interior this morning. The snow will gradually make its way into the southern interior and western kootenays this afternoon. Amounts of 10 to 20 cm are forecast by Monday morning. Along with the snow, strong southerly winds gusting to 90 km/h will develop through many central interior regions near noon producing localized blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions are expected to persist into this evening.

Meanwhile in the southern interior, strong winds of 60 km/h gusting 90 km/h are forecast to develop in the Penticton and Kamloops regions this afternoon. The strong winds combined with falling snow will generate blowing snow through the regions.

Frigid temperatures near minus 30 combined with brisk winds up to 20 km/h are giving extreme wind chill values near minus 40 this morning over the northern sections of the Peace River region. These extreme wind chill values should ease this afternoon as temperatures rise.

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Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 09:33 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: heidi1555 on January 4 2009 10:04 AM

I took the dog out this morning and took a deep breath thinking how beautiful it is when my nostrils don't stick together from the cold...what a nice morning. But now after reading this...yuck!

Good news is Spring is closer today than it was yesterday.

Posted by: gus on January 4 2009 10:39 AM

Bets anyone? The recent warning amounted to zilch. Will the this one prove to be true?

I do not recall ever seeing a blizzard in PG over the last 35 years that I have lived here other than the ones for sale at Dairy Queen. This would be a first.

"According to Environment Canada, a winter storm must have winds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or more, have snow or blowing snow, visibility less than 1 km (about 5⁄8 mile), a wind chill of less than −25 �C (−13 �F), and that all of these conditions must last for 4 hours or more before the storm can be properly called a blizzard."

Pretty wimpy definition, especially the visibility. Here is the US definition:

"In the United States, the National Weather Service defines a blizzard as sustained 35 mph (56 km/h) winds which lead to blowing snow and cause visibilities of � mile or less, lasting for at least 3 hours."

That's a bit better.

Looks like the airport might be shut down if we get that.

Posted by: opinionated on January 4 2009 1:05 PM

Looking out my window seeing the snow fall I see a winter wonderland. It is so beautiful and so very peaceful so enjoy it folks and count your blessings!

Posted by: camoose on January 4 2009 1:44 PM

For anybody that has experienced an old fashioned prairie blizzard, this bit of snow and wind doesn't qualify as a blizzard. It seems that weather warnings are issued for the least little bit of snow, rain or wind. Suck it up. It's the global warming thing in Canada. Reduce your carbon footprint and be thankful for Gordo's Carbon Tax grab. Be prepared to shovel driveways tomorrwo and bitch about the highways and city streets not being keep clear to the pavement. Happy January.

Posted by: bowzone_mikey on January 4 2009 1:46 PM

I recall mar 3 last year the 2.5 feet of snow i woke up to in the hart ...

Posted by: try me on January 4 2009 4:50 PM

WE BITCH ABOUT THE SNOW HERE BUT WHEN TALKINK TO OTHERS BACK HOME ON THE PHONE WE BRAG ABOUT IT

Posted by: He speaks on January 4 2009 5:50 PM

You do have a good point "tryme",

A bit blustery, but not quite a blizzard.

Posted by: gus on January 4 2009 6:15 PM

Hard to brag when one speaks to people in the Ontario and up state NY snowbelt.

As well, we see the maritimes on TV a few times avery winter, don't think there is much to report from here typcially.

Of course for those displaced persons from lotusland that would be a different story.

Posted by: DPJ on January 4 2009 6:30 PM

Gus said the following at 10:39 am: "Bets anyone? The recent warning amounted to zilch. Will the this one prove to be true?". Looking out of my window the last few hours tells me that a nice blizzard is happening. Reminds me a bit of the prairies

Posted by: DPJ on January 4 2009 6:42 PM

Posted by: wrinkledawg on January 4 2009 8:19 PM

WHOO,HOO Gonna make money tomorrow:o))

Posted by: downnotout on January 4 2009 9:28 PM

going to have trouble driving around tommorow. YRB and the city are going to have their hands full for the next few days.

Posted by: DPJ on January 5 2009 10:46 AM

Posted by: DPJ on January 5 2009 10:48 AM

the last post was an accident. I just "refreshed" the page and it got posted again.

Posted by: lostfaith on January 5 2009 10:50 AM

Don't refresh on this site, you posted the same thing 3 times ;)