Gusty winds, heavy snowfall and ‘bitterly cold air’ forecast for parts of B.C.

Environment Canada has issued several weather warnings in B.C. on Monday, including for strong winds in Metro Vancouver and heavy snowfall in parts of the Southern Interior and Haida Gwaii.

Wind gusts of up to 90 km/h can be expected Monday afternoon in southern sections of Metro Vancouver, including Richmond, Delta, Surrey and Langley.

Environment Canada says they will be the strongest near Tsawwassen and Boundary Bay, and will ease by the evening.

Meanwhile, up to 15 centimetres of snowfall is expected around Manning Provincial Park, including along Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton and Highway 5 (the Coquihalla Highway) between Hope and Merritt.

A 46-kilometre stretch of Highway 3 between Hope and Manning Park Resort is closed due to recent flooding, and is expected to remain closed for the next several weeks.

Environment Canada warns visibility will likely be reduced at times. It says drivers should allow extra time for travel and use winter tires and chains where needed.

Some sections of the highway are slushy while some have compact snow, according to DriveBC.

A snowfall warning in Haida Gwaii says the region could see between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow Monday.

Environment Canada says roads and walkways may be difficult to navigate, and notes utility outages and tree damage are possible.

An arctic outflow warning is also in place for parts of the Skeena region, including Terrace and Kitimat, with Environment Canada warning temperatures there will range between -9 C and -11 C, with wind chill values around -20 C.

The weather agency warns frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors. It says the "bitterly cold air flows" will begin to rise Wednesday afternoon.