It has been an ugly 72 hours for weather across British Columbia.
A stretch of Highway 1 was closed in both directions due to avalanche risk for much of the day Thursday, but all weather warnings for the province have now ended.
According to Environment Canada, massive amounts of snow and rain were dumped on some parts of the province since 10 a.m. Wednesday and into Thursday.
Whistler Village has seen 53 centimetres of snow, while Blue River got 52 centimetres and Rogers Pass saw 47 centimetres accumulate.
When it comes to rain, Port Mellon on Vancouver Island saw 131 millimetres, West Vancouver saw 90 millimetres, and the City of Vancouver saw 69 millimetres, smashing a Jan. 3 record of 43.8 millimetres set in 1984.
Highway 1 was closed in both directions Thursday between Revelstoke and Golden until 10 p.m., an approximate stretch of 148 kilometres, because of high avalanche risk.
Even with the route now reopened, DriveBC advised motorists heading through the area to still expect heavy delays.
For more on DriveBC’s latest road conditions, click here.
A winter storm warning for the Revelstoke area was rescinded late Thursday.
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The avalanche hazard also created a risk for a slide on B.C’s South Coast, as Avalanche Canada officials warned to avoid all possible avalanche terrain on Thursday.
Many areas remain at high avalanche danger for Friday.
Grouse Mountain’s Skyride, chalet facilities and downhill area were closed Thursday due to high winds and remain on standby for Friday.
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A winter storm warning has also now ended for the Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt after about 25 centimetres fell on the region by late Thursday.
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The snow eased to flurries by Friday morning.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” Environment Canada said in a statement. “Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.”
Flooding concerns
On Vancouver Island, flood watches were issued Thursday for both the Englishman and Little Qualicum Rivers.
High streamflow advisories were also put in place for most of Vancouver Island, along with Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast, North Shore and Fraser Valley.
Those advisories remain in effect for Friday.
The River Forecast Centre said West Vancouver Island had seen more than 150 millimetres of rain since Wednesday, while the central and east island, Howe Sound and Lower Mainland had seen between 60 to 100 millimetres.
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