An impending cold front has prompted the postponement of the upcoming lantern ski event at Larch Hills.
The Larch Hills Nordic Society (LHNS) said it was a very difficult decision to cancel the event, scheduled for the evening of Dec. 29, when temperatures may dip below -20 C.
However, 鈥渁fter taking into consideration the volunteers, young families and everyone鈥檚 comfort,鈥� the LHNS announced on Dec. 23 that the lantern ski has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m.
鈥淲e apologize for any inconvenience this change of date may have caused,鈥� stated the LHNS.
While a cold front is moving in, Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor does not anticipate the accompanying temperatures will break any record lows for late December in Salmon Arm.
鈥淪o what we鈥檙e looking at is sort of a -18 to -20 range as we move from Boxing Day towards the New Year at this point in time,鈥� said Proctor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to feel colder than that at times with the windchill factor鈥� but in general terms, it doesn鈥檛 look like it鈥檚 going to be that record-setting cold.鈥�
Between 1982 and 2014, Proctor said Salmon Arm saw a record low of -27 on Dec. 27 in 1983.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not getting to those values but we鈥檙e approaching them, so it鈥檚 going to be cold, people are going to be challenged by it鈥�,鈥� said Proctor. 鈥淧eople need to be dressed accordingly if they鈥檙e going to be outside, or if they鈥檙e travelling in their vehicle, take a vehicle safety kit as well. It should have a blanket, it should have something like a tin can and some candles you can light for heat. Things of that nature. Just be prepared so if something happens you have a way of keeping yourselves warm enough until someone can come and get to you to help you out.鈥�
Proctor noted the colder temperatures tend to occur more in January or February.
lachlan@saobserver.net
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