Cold Weather

In the last 10 years the Interior Health (IH) region has experienced significant damaging climate-related hazards that are secondary to global warming and climate change. The overall changing climate trend drives extreme weather events such as heat, wildfires, flooding and cold. 

Winter weather can affect your safety in different ways: snow, rain and ice can cause transportation challenges and increase the risk of slips and falls. Power outages can disrupt communication, the heat in your home and access to food and water. It is easy to get cold quickly if you are outside in wet, cold and windy weather. Exposure to cold temperatures can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. 

Cold weather poses significant health challenges. These challenges impact many community members, and disproportionately impact marginalized residents, such as the unhoused population.

To access weather information and alerts for the Interior region, please visit the
Environment Canada website or download the WeatherCAN app or Alertable.

Get prepared for winter weather and storms  

Severe winter weather and storm preparedness guide.

Preparing for cold weather events

Get prepared for power outages

Severe weather can cause power outages. Be prepared for up to one week by developing a household emergency plan and putting together an emergency kit. If you encounter a downed or damaged power line, assume it is live and a danger. Stay back at least 10 metres (the length of a bus) and call 911 immediately to report it.

Winterize your home

Now is a good time to winterize your home by insulating walls and attics, weather-stripping doors and windows, clearing rain gutters and removing tree branches that could fall during windstorms.

Tips to protect yourself

• Bringing an emergency kit if you are going into the backcountry so you are prepared for conditions.  
• Head for shelter that will protect from wind and rain.  
• Avoid too much activity and sweating.  
• Avoid touching metal.  
• Eat and drink water.  
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.  
• Wear proper clothing and keep hands and feet dry.  
  • Cover your head and body by wearing a hat and layers of tightly woven fabrics such as wool or synthetics. 
  • Cover up exposed areas such as your fingers, cheeks, ears, and nose. 
  • Mittens are better than gloves at keeping hands warm and dry 
  • Dress in layers so that you can adjust to changes as you heat up or cool off. 
  • Don’t wear tight fitting clothing or footwear that may impair circulation. 
  • Wear glasses or goggles if you are planning outdoor activities. 
  • If your clothes get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible. 
• Bring additional warm clothing when going out for extended periods or in case of emergency. 
• Talk to your health care professional to see if you are at an increased risk from extreme cold due to a medical condition. 
• If you have health problems such as a heart condition you may wish to avoid strenuous activities like shovelling snow. 
• Please ensure to have carbon monoxide detector in your indoor space (Look for ones with a Canadian certification mark (e.g. CSA, cUL, ULC or cETL). 

Watch for those who are vulnerable, especially the unhoused population. Keep an eye out for community members who may ne under dressed for the weather and/or looking unwell.  

For those with Alzheimer’s, wandering can be dangerous during times of cold weather.  

Get prepared for winter weather and storms  

PDF handbook: Severe winter weather and storm preparedness guide (gov.bc.ca)

Warming centres and shelters

Warming centres may be opened for the public by First Nations and local governments in response to cold events.

Temporary winter shelters and extreme weather response shelter spaces are funded by BC Housing and operated by community partners for people experiencing homelessness.

During cold weather events, emergency warming centres and general warming spaces locations may be listed on EmergencyMapBC.ca at the discretion of First Nations and local governments. If warming centres are not listed on the map in your area, contact your Band office or local government.

Cold weather events can challenge anyone to stay safe and warm. Data from emergency departments showed that within the IH region, most cases of hypothermia occurred at temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius (°C) or colder. If a person is not able to be sufficiently protected from exposure to the cold air or wet weather for prolonged periods, an individual’s body temperature can drop and cause cold related injuries and hypothermia.

Contact a healthcare provider, or call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1, if you are experiencing mild, cold-related illness. Call 9-1-1 in case of medical emergency. 

If you think someone may be hypothermic: 

• If they are cold, shivering, alert and complaining - call 8-1-1 for advice. 
• Take the person's temperature, if possible. If it is below 35°C (95°F), the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately- call 9-1-1.  
• A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the person gently, call 9-1-1 and get emergency assistance immediately.
• Call 9-1-1 if in doubt about whether a person has hypothermia

Vulnerable populations include anyone exposed to cold weather conditions that may experience cold-related injuries.

Some people are at higher risk for frostbite, hypothermia and other impacts, including: 

• Unhoused populations (those who are unsheltered or living in places not intended for permanent human habitation) 
• People who use substances, including alcohol, that modify their ability to feel the effects of cold exposure or to respond and modify their exposure to cold conditions 
• People who are not dressed properly
• People who are wearing wet clothing or have wet skin
• People who spend long periods of time outdoors for work or recreation 
• People living in housing without adequate insulation or without the ability to generate enough heat 
• People with disabilities, limited mobility, or certain medical conditions such as: diabetes, peripheral neuropathy (muscle weakness, tingling, numbness), fatigue, dehydration , and diseases affecting the blood vessels 
• People taking certain medications including beta-blockers 
• Seniors (over 60 years of age), infants and young children