Winter conditions in downtown Vernon (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Well Below Freezing

Interior Health, City of Vernon advise people be prepared for frigid temperatures

Jan 11, 2024 | 5:30 AM

Vernon and the Okanagan will face its first cold snap of the winter this week, and people are advised to take steps to stay warm.

With the arctic air settling in the valley, bringing the daytime temperatures down to -19 and overnight lows to -25, the City of Vernon and Interior Health have advice to be prepared for the conditions.

The City advises people:

• Check the weather forecast and the temperature, including the windchill factor, before going outdoors
• Limit time outside
• Dress in layers, with a wind resistant outer layer; limit the amount of exposed skin by wearing a hat or toque, gloves and scarf; and wear warm and waterproof footwear
• Seek shelter from wind
• Stay dry and remove a layer if sweating
• Stay active outside to generate body heat
• Be aware of signs of frostbite and hypothermia
• Have an emergency plan in place including a 72-hour kit containing candles and flashlights, food and water, in both the home and vehicles
• Check DriveBC before travelling
• Slow down and drive to conditions when behind the wheel

Interior health warns people that the frigid temperatures could put people at risk of cold-exposure injuries, including

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• Frostnip, a numbness that usually affects skin on the face, earns or fingertips, that resolves once warmed and does not cause permanent tissue damage
• Frostbite, when the skin and underlying tissue freezes
• Trench foot and chilblains, skin blistering when warmed following too much time spent in temperatures that are cold, but not freezing
• Eye pain or vision changes caused by too much cold exposure, particularly when exposed to high winds and cold temperatures
• Hypothermia, an abnormally low body temperature that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can make heat

Early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, clumsy movement, apathy, poor judgement, and cold, pale or blue-grey skin. IH said hypothermia is an emergency situation and can lead to unconsciousness and death if the heat loss isn’t stopped.

The health authority warns that infants, older adults, and the unhoused are the most at risk of cold related injuries.

Other factors that can increase a person’s risk in the cold include drinking alcohol, not being dressed properly, having wet skin or clothing, being tired or dehydrated, being exposed to cold temperatures for long periods of time, and taking medication for pre-existing health conditions that may affect the body’s ability to regulate heat.

People experiencing early stages of cold-related injuries are advised to stay calm; find ways to warm up, such as by seeking shelter and eating or drinking warm food and drink; and getting dry.

Additionally, the City of Vernon reminds residents and business owners that it’s their responsibility to clear sidewalks outside their properties. Snow cleared from paths and driveways should not be piled in the road, around fire hydrants, or at bus stops.