British Columbia is still gripped by winter weather with severe cold continuing in the southeastern and northeastern parts of the province, while snow warnings indicate that parts of the interior, including Prince George, may see up to 20 cm of additional snow.

Meanwhile, Environment Canada said a strong low-pressure system moving across the province will bring periods of heavy snowfall from the northern coast through Cariboo to the Alberta border starting Monday night before easing Tuesday afternoon or evening.

Special weather statements were also issued for the southern interior and southwest British Columbia warning of more snowfall beginning Tuesday night.

Environment Canada said the approaching low-pressure system off the west coast will bring moisture expected to fall as snow over those areas, but there may also be freezing rain in the southwest where temperatures hover around zero.

The weather agency also said on its website that the chance of heavy snow and freezing rain during this time could pose a hazard to travel and outdoor activities.

Extreme cold continues

At the same time, areas including east Kootenay and Elk Valley in the southeast of the province are still experiencing very cold weather, with wind chill values indicating temperatures reaching -35 degrees Celsius.

The highest temperature in British Columbia was recorded Monday morning at the remote Sartin Island weather station off the northwest tip of Vancouver Island, where the temperature reached 4 degrees Celsius.

The severe cold also continues in the northeast, with a regional low of -45.5 degrees Celsius recorded Sunday at Fort Airport.

Environment Canada also said many records were broken over the weekend, including Sunday in Creston, which reached -22.7 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of -21.7 degrees Celsius set in 1950.

Osoyoos also broke the record at -18.8 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of -18.3 degrees Celsius set in 2017.

The West Vancouver and Sechelt areas were just below previous records, while Squamish temperature dropped to -12.3 degrees Celsius, which was 2.5 degrees Celsius colder than the previous record set in 2007.

The continuing cold caused pipes to burst in some homes and businesses, affecting at least two hospitals, a senior facility, and an ice rink with deep freezing.

Patients needing emergency treatment at Mission Memorial Hospital were diverted to nearby Fraser Valley hospitals in Maple Ridge, Langley, Abbotsford, or Chilliwack following pipe freezes and bursts causing flooding in the emergency department.

At Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, the front door heater in the emergency waiting area malfunctioned Saturday, causing indoor temperatures to drop to -6 degrees Celsius. Frozen pipes at the Valley View community ice rink downtown forced its closure.