Snowfall warnings remain in place for much of B.C.’s South Coast Monday morning.
This has prompted school closures across the province.
A snowfall warning remains in effect for:
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley
- Greater Victoria
- Kootenay Lake
- West Kootenay
- East Kootenay
- Arrow Lakes
- Bounday region
A low pressure system is moving across Washington State, bringing snow to the region on Monday.
The current forecast calls for total snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm by early Tuesday, however that may change throughout the day. Drifting snow may also be an issue due to gusty Arctic winds.
In Metro Vancouver, a further 2 to 4 cm will fall today and up to 5 cm more tonight. Expect drier air during Tuesday afternoon and into the first part of Wednesday. However, a major Pacific system will slam into the South Coast later Wednesday through Thursday. Heavy snow is likely at first, but milder air with rain will take over in most areas by Thursday.
The snowfall warning that is in effect, combined with the snow that fell on the weekend has prompted some RCMP and police detachments to warn drivers to stay off the roads if possible.
Surrey RCMP say roadways in the region are “extremely dangerous” and there have already been many collisions. They say roads are icy, slippery and hills are treacherous.
In Abbotsford, police are warning drivers not to travel in the Sumas flats, east of Whatcom, and north of Vye due to extreme snow drifts and dangerous road conditions.
Some road closures are also in effect in Abbotsford:
Single Lane:
– Holly St (Glenwood – Peardonville); Beach Ave (Center – Holly) & intersecting roads 7-7.
Vancouver Police Department is saying if you must head out the door today to give yourself extra time and space on the road.
ICBC calls
Over the past three days, ICBC has received thousands more calls from motorists following the snowfall.
Friday, Feb. 3 – 5,074 calls – 2,000 more calls than a typical Friday in 2016.
Saturday, Feb. 4 – 2,388 calls – almost 1,000 more calls than a typical Saturday in 2016.
Sunday, Feb. 5 – 1,815 calls – almost 1,000 more calls than a typical Sunday in 2016.
In total, ICBC says the three snow days resulted in 9,277 calls but not each call necessarily results in a claim.
The corporation says the key is to slow down, check your vehicle before you leave and plan ahead.
Of course it’s not all doom and gloom – residents across the region have been having a lot of fun with all the snow that has been falling.
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