Winter in Quesnel

Snow and cold weather can be a new experience for some. Here are some tips and resources to help prepare you and your family for your first winter in Quesnel.

What to expect

While the first official day of winter is December 21st, you may have noticed that we experience winter weather conditions in November, or even October. A few signs of the upcoming winter season include dropping temperatures, the sun setting earlier, and snow.

January and February are the coldest months of the year, with an average of -5°C. With wind chills and cold snaps, it can feel much colder; temperatures sometimes go down to -30°C, or even lower. The good news is a cold snap (extreme cold weather) usually only lasts a few days. By early March the days are getting longer and the air is feeling warmer, you will notice the snow melting during the day, but often freezes up at night. By April the snow is usually well on its way to being melted and spring is right around the corner. 

Extreme cold weather

Extremely cold weather events do not happen every year. It's important to watch weather forecasts and be aware of weather warnings, as frost bite can happen in minutes with very cold temperatures and windchill conditions. 

Environment Canada is a reliable source of weather forecasts and warnings.

School District 28 may cancel school busses in the event of extreme cold, freezing rain, or poor driving conditions.  These announcements will be shared on local radio stations and the School District 28 website and social media.