The City of Penticton Social Development Department will work with the social sector and across city departments to implement an Extreme Winter Weather Response when weather conditions are likely to contribute to a substantial threat to the life or health of those sheltering outdoors. This work fits within an overarching Extreme Weather Response Plan for the City of Penticton.
The purpose of activation guidelines are to give the community and social sector operators criteria to provide responsive services and to equip planning. A response will be activated when the weather conditions noted in the table below are forecasted for a continuous period: a minimum of 48 hours and can be expected 96 hours in advance and when there are resources available.
Response Activation Guidelines:
| Level | Temperature | Wind Chill | Snow | Rain | Wind |
| Level 1 | 0C to -9C | Feels like 0C | Any accumulation | Difficult to keep dry | n/a |
| Level 2 | -10C to -19C | Feels like -10C | Significant accumulation | Difficult to keep dry | Wind warning |
| Level 3 | -20C and colder | Feels like -20C | Significant accumulation | Unable to keep dry | Severe wind warning |
Level 1
The Level 1 response includes a bolstering of typically offered services (e.g. additional items being handed out through bylaw officers and/or outreach services). Resourcing teams at Level 1 are a community effort with donations/supplies being received from public donations, as well as key government partners.
Current cross-sector efforts for 2025/26 include:
- Direct service providers — including City of Penticton Bylaw services and not for profit outreach teams are conducting wellness checks, distributing items such as gloves and toques, and referring to shelter where possible.
- BC Housing (BCH) is confirming the provision of winter supplies for partners serving individuals sheltering outside. 100 More Homes (100MH) partners have also fundraised supplies that will be deployed throughout the season by outreach staff. (Maybe the POPs line goes here?)
- Social Development and 100MH will convene regular sector meetings throughout the winter season to ensure outreach coordination.
- IH is providing education for frontline teams, including Bylaw, to help identify cold weather conditions like hypothermia and frostbite.
- The PDSCL shelter – Compass Court – continue to keep 10 encampment beds open. These are considered winter surge beds in addition to their regular shelter capacity. The Temporary Winter Shelter also continues to operate with 40 beds.
- All efforts once confirmed will be communicated to the public through the City of Penticton website and cross-promoted by 100MH.
Level 2 & 3 Response - For Individuals Sheltering Outdoors
In preparation for weather conditions that meet Level 2 or 3 criteria, City of Penticton facilities may be asked to extend operating hours, which can also be utilized by those sheltering outdoors. The City of Penticton continues to refine its emergency weather response for those sheltering outside and is working with local not for profit and provincial partners to offer additional services when possible.
Donations for those in need
The Penticton Overdose Prevention Society is also looking for donations of blankets and other goods.
