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Snowfall warnings hit the South Coast, travel impacted on Vancouver Island

Click to play video: 'BC Evening Weather Forecast: Jan 8'
BC Evening Weather Forecast: Jan 8
The Tuesday, January 8, 2019 evening weather forecast for Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding area – Jan 8, 2019

The first big blast of winter hit parts of the South Coast on Tuesday.

WATCH: Snowfall warning in effect for parts of B.C.’s South Coast

Click to play video: 'Snowfall warning in effect for parts South Coast'
Snowfall warning in effect for parts South Coast

Vancouver Island was the hardest hit, with five to 12 centimetres of snow. Travel was treacherous on Highway 19 from Comox to Port Hardy and on Highway 4 from Port Alberni to Tofino.

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Highway 19 near Courtenay Tuesday, Jan 8th, 2019. Courtesy Allen Felker. Allen Felker
Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Tofino Tuesday, Jan 8th 2019. Pippa Reed
Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Tofino covered in snow Tuesday. Drive BC

Meanwhile, parts of Nanaimo received several hours of wet snow, but temperatures warmed up in the afternoon and the snow changed to rain.

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Parts of Vancouver Island could see another few centimetres of snow this evening, but conditions will change to rain overnight.

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WATCH: Cold weather sweeps across areas of B.C.

Click to play video: 'Cold weather sweeps across areas of B.C.'
Cold weather sweeps across areas of B.C.

The east coast from Comox to Sayward could see another five centimetres before that transition. By morning, though, the snow-covered roads will likely be gone, as heavy rain overnight will wash the snow away.

Snow forecast for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Global BC

Now, the main concern is the Sea-to-Sky Highway north of Squamish up to Whistler. The region is expecting 15 to 20 cm of snow overnight and strong gusts up to 70 km/h. Whiteout conditions are likely. Drivers are urged to wait until the mid morning hours before heading out.

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Snow blanketing Highway 99 in Whistler. Drive BC

WATCH: (Aired Jan. 7, 2019) Certain parts of B.C.’s South Coast expecting snow. Here’s the worst-case-scenario.

Click to play video: 'B.C.’s South Coast could see snowfall on Tuesday'
B.C.’s South Coast could see snowfall on Tuesday

Meanwhile, as expected, the Lower Mainland missed the snow today. Other than a few wet flakes, it was mainly a rain event and will continue to be for the next two days. However Hope could see another two to four centimetres of snow overnight.

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No snow expected across the Lower Mainland. Global BC

Environment Canada has snowfall and wind warnings in effect for the following regions: Inland Vancouver Island, East Coast of Vancouver Island, Howe Sound & Sea-to-Sky, Whistler, Sunshine Coast and North Vancouver Island.

WATCH: Winter weather forecast: What Canadians can expect from coast to coast

Click to play video: 'Winter weather forecast: What Canadians can expect from coast to coast'
Winter weather forecast: What Canadians can expect from coast to coast

 

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