The City of Vancouver has issued an extreme weather alert and activated extra shelter spaces, with chilly overnight temperatures expected this weekend.
Environment Canada has forecast a mix of sun and cloud, with a 30 per cent chance of showers, and a daytime high of 9°C for Saturday, but temperatures are expected to dip to a chilly 0°C at night and feel decidedly colder. Meanwhile, a mix of sun and cloud is also forecast for Sunday, with daytime highs of 7°C and overnight lows of 3°C. Matt MacDonald, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said with wind chill the temperature will feel more like -5.
Due to the temperature dropping to temperatures that feel like 0°C or below, the city has issued an extreme weather alert through to March 1 and has activated a warming centre and extra shelter spaces to help people on the streets stay safe and warm.
The city will be opening a warming centre at Powell Street Getaway, 528 Powell St., which will be open from Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 1, between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The city asks that anyone sleeping outside “please come to the safety of the shelters.” The drop-in centre also accommodates pets, bikes, and carts, and offers hot beverages and snacks. No reservations are required to enter the warming centre.
PLEASE SHARE: Due to the forecast, Powell Street Getaway will open as a warming centre for the next few nights, along with Extreme Weather Response shelters across #Vancouver. If you need to stay warm, you will be welcomed at one of these locations. For details, see tables below: pic.twitter.com/cs2M2dJ61K
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) February 28, 2020
Extra spaces have also been made available at a number of shelters in Vancouver including Directions Youth Services Centre (for youth 24 years and under), 1138 Burrard St., Evelyn Saller Centre, 320 Alexander St., The Salvation Army Belkin House, 555 Homer St., Walton Hotel Amentiy Space, 261-B East Hastings St. and Tenth Church, 11 West 10th Ave.
Residents can call 211 for shelter information.
