The recent drop in temperatures in Yukon has led to a series of challenges for residents. Issues such as frozen gas pumps, flight diversions, school bus cancellations, and an increase in road accidents have been prevalent during this severe cold snap.
The weather forecast indicates that the frigid conditions will persist, with temperatures expected to remain below –30 C, and possibly even below –40 C, for at least the next week. Whitehorse encountered thick ice fog on Thursday morning, disrupting the landing of two planes at the airport – an Air North flight and an Air Canada flight. Fortunately, conditions improved later in the day.
Airport manager Nigel Cripps noted that ice fog is a common occurrence in extremely cold weather and that airport personnel and airlines are equipped to handle such situations. The extreme cold also caused operational issues at gas stations, with pumps failing to function in areas like Pelly Crossing, where temperatures dropped to –45 overnight.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported a notable rise in motor vehicle collisions in Whitehorse due to factors such as tailgating, speeding in hazardous conditions, and drivers not clearing snow and ice from their windows. Yukon RCMP spokesperson Calista MacLeod emphasized the importance of adjusting driving behavior based on visibility and weather conditions.
Additionally, drivers were advised to monitor their tire pressure, as extreme cold can lead to underinflated tires losing their seal against the rim, potentially resulting in loss of vehicle control. In response to concerns about school bus operations, Yukon’s education minister issued an apology for causing unnecessary stress to families and students, assuring that schools would remain open during cold weather and transportation services would be provided reliably.
Efforts are underway to enhance communication with families regarding bus cancellations, with a commitment to improving the notification system in collaboration with Standard Bus. The minister acknowledged previous shortcomings in informing families promptly about bus cancellations and pledged to address these issues promptly.