Dawson Creek, British Columbia, is experiencing an unusual January warm spell, with Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasting daytime highs up to about 9°C this week. That is roughly 17–20°C warmer than the typical January high for the area (about −10°C by the 1981–2010 climate normals).
The warming follows a period of extreme cold and sustained drought that have raised concerns about the city’s water supply. CBC reporting notes city officials warned the Kiskatinaw River could freeze during deep cold — with windchills reported as low as −40°C — and that the river froze in January 2024, forcing Dawson Creek to rely on stored reservoir water for several weeks. (See CBC coverage for timeline and details.)
The rapid thaw–refreeze cycle poses hazards for drivers: daytime melting and overnight refreezing can create black-ice conditions on the Alaska Highway and local roads, making surfaces especially slippery after dark.
Regional industries that rely on frozen ground — notably forestry and oil and gas operators working on muskeg and other soft terrain — may be affected if the ground softens during the thaw. Historical climate normals demonstrate how unusual such a large swing is; forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicate these milder conditions are expected to persist into mid-January, increasing the likelihood of freeze–thaw impacts on roads and industrial access.
