Update: An anticipated Pacific storm has moved onto the south coast, slowing traffic and closing some schools.
The front has spread two to four centimetres snow over southern Vancouver Island and another two to four centimetres could still fall by noon in the capital region, according to Environment Canada.
It continues to snow in parts of Vancouver Island, said meteorologist Ross MacDonald, with Environment Canada. The snow is still coming down in the Comox Valley and Nanaimo, where at least four centimetres has fallen.
The Malahat was slammed with about 10 centimetres this morning and with further accumulations forecast for today and tomorrow, it’s on track to get about 25 centimetres in total by Saturday morning, said MacDonald.
“At higher elevations, the Malahat, for example, can expect another 10 centimetres today and another five centimetres tonight.”
As of 6 a.m. at Victoria International Airport, about five centimetres of snow had fallen, with reports of up to six centimetres having fallen in downtown Victoria, said Environment Canada. “It’s certainly winter driving up there.”
“There’s been widespread snow across much of the Island and it’s going to continue certainly through this morning and the trick is, when is it going to change over to rain,” said MacDonald. That transition is forecast to start about noon today.
When the rain does fall at lower elevations near the water, it won’t take much to wash away some snow, but snow is expected to remain and accumulate further at higher elevations — the Malahat, for example — for the better part of the day, said MacDonald.
Rain is forecast for Saturday, so where the snow hasn’t washed away “it will be a bit sloppy,” said MacDonald.
The transition to a slightly warmer air mass reaching about 6 Celsius on Saturday in Victoria won’t last long, said MacDonald.
Early in the week, expect a new infusion of Arctic air pushing its way through the province and holding on for the remainder of the week. It won’t necessarily snow, but will be chilly with “below seasonal temperatures” forecast to dip to -7 overnight on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, said MacDonald.
“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” says Environment Canada. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.”
Travel was slow on main routes heading into Victoria.
There was a single-vehicle crash on the Pat Bay Highway. A vehicle headed south went off the road to the right at Elk Lake Drive about 6 a.m., said Saanich police. Police are urging motorists to drive slowly in the snow.
Most school districts on the south Island are open. However, in the Cowichan Valley, School District 79, all public schools are closed today “due to snow” and there will be no bus service. Students and staff there are asked to remain at home.
School District 62 in Sooke says schools are open and buses are running today.
“No snow day today,” says the district, on its Twitter account. However, Port Renfrew school is closed and its bus is not running. The school district says it is up to parents to determine if they feel comfortable sending their children to school today.
Greater Victoria School District 61 says its schools are open today.
“Please drive safely and students should dress for the winter weather,” says the district.
Saanich school District 63 is open today.
School District No. 70 in Port Alberni is open and buses are running.
Camosun College says both its Landsdowne and Interurban campuses are open.
The University of Victoria reports its campus is open. “Use caution in your travels and allow extra travel time,” suggests UVic.
Other school closures include Sprott Shaw College in Victoria
The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, 4371 Interurban Rd., reports on its Twitter account it, too, will be closed today due to the forecast for more snow.
Victoria International Airport is reporting some delays and cancellations. Check with the airport for updates.
Helijet International reports it’s on a “weather hold” until at least 10 a.m. “We will assess at that time.”
B.C. Hydro is reporting no major outages on Vancouver Island, but about 200 customers in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast are without power.
CFB Esquimalt base commander Capt. Steve Waddell, base commander of CFB Esquimalt, has asked that only critical personnel come to work today.
“Current inclement weather conditions are making road travel hazardous,” said Waddell, in a statement. In the interests of personal safety for all defence team members, the base will reduce to minimum staffing, it said this morning. The decision was based on safety for members, said public affairs spokeswoman Katelyn Moores.
Due to road conditions in Victoria, B.C. Transit advises that buses might be unable to keep on time with posted schedules. Customers with further questions are asked to call 250-382-6161.
As of 9:30 a.m., all routes are regular routing except for:
R-6 Not Servicing Emily Carr (Chatterton now open)
R-22 Not Servicing Watkiss Way or Hastings/Holland, Not Servicing Viaduct
R-24 Not Servicing Parklands
R-25 Blenkinsop closed, l-Union, r-Quadra, r-McKenzie to Borden, and reverse
R-30 Run as a R-31 regular route
R-32 N/B Cancelled, S/B Pat Bay, R-Sayward to regular route
R-35 Cancelled
R-52 Not Servicing Bear Mountain use Western Speedway to turnaround
R-56/57 Not Servicing Gorman/Goldie
R-59/60 Not Servicing triangle Mountain (Running From Jacklin , Sooke, Happy Valley, to Latoria to regular route)
R-63 Cancelled
R-64 Cancelled
R-72 N/B only use overpass like R-70 as N/B Elk
R-75 Not servicing Verdier (Now Servicing Benvenuto)
R-83 Not Servicing the Verdier Loop or Quayle, Now Servicing West Saanich
R-85 Stay on West Saanich Not doing Madrona Loop or Lands End. Taking Wain Rd to Pat Bay
As the storm continues to develop off the B.C. coast, the weather office says to expect more precipitation not only today but through Saturday over the South Coast.
While the snow is expected to become mixed with rain or change to rain this afternoon near sea level, for communities at higher elevations or inland, precipitation will remain in the form of snow through Saturday morning, says the weather office.
Low lying coastal regions can expect snowfall accumulations of five to 10 cm by Saturday morning with up to 25 cm over higher terrain.
Blowing snow is forecast for the Fraser Valley today due to strong easterly winds.
According to Environment Canada statistics, Victoria has a one in 10 chance of a white Christmas.
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Snow started to fall in many areas of Greater Victoria about 11 p.m. Thursday and is forecast to continue until near noon Friday. Rain is expected for the rest of Friday. Temperatures will be around -1°C or -2°C overnight. Daytime Friday temperatures are forecast at around 0°C or 1°C, warming to 2°C by 6 p.m.
There’s no sign yet of when the cold spell will end. Greater Victoria is forecast to have night-time temperatures of around freezing Friday and Saturday, dipping to -3°C on Sunday and -7°C on Monday and -8°C on Tuesday.
At this time of year, daytime temperatures are typically about 7°C, with nightime about 1°C.
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Despite a snowfall warning calling for the chance of five to 15 centimetres, even in low-lying parts of Greater Victoria, weather experts remained unsure Thursday about how widespread accumulations might be.
Winds up to 60 kilometres an hour are also in the forecast.
Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said snow was expected to begin falling Thursday in some parts of the region about 8 or 9 p.m., with accumulations setting in around midnight.
Weather can be quite different from place to place in Greater Victoria, Castellan said. “There’s a lot of variability in elevation in the area. So certainly if you’re at higher locations the switch to rain or to liquid will be delayed and maybe completely averted.”
He said accumulations of 25 cm or more are a possibility on south Island mountains. “That’s where the much-larger numbers will be experienced.”
In lower spots, rain could be turning snow into “a big slushy mess” some time Friday, Castellan said.
He said rain in lower areas is likely on Saturday, with temperatures forecast to rise as to as high as 5°C — up from a forecast high of 2°C Friday.
Remnants from any snow that falls could lead to future concerns, he said. “We’re going back down into much-colder temperatures so what is left will either refreeze to ice or stay as snow.”
Flurries are possible around the region on Sunday.
Many people have been doing whatever they can to prepare for rough weather during the week. With plenty of notice that Friday could see snow and ice, there has been a run on salt products to spread on the ground for traction — and some stores have been running out.
Along with that, tire shops have been going full out installing winter tires.
Municipalities have had crews out on the road in recent days, with the City of Victoria’s anti-icing truck in action at the start of the week applying brine, a mixture of salt water and anti-icing material, to hills, bridges and major roads.
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B.C. Ferries has cancelled Southern Gulf Islands sailings at 4:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. from Swartz Bay and from Sturdies Bay at 5:55 p.m. and 8 p.m. because of high winds.
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Earlier story:
Warnings of possible substantial snowfall starting today have many Greater Victoria residents in readiness mode, with getting winter tires installed at the top of the list.
Brendan Maguire from Kal Tire on Douglas Street said the doors have been staying open late to accommodate all the people wanting winter tires on their vehicles.
Maguire said the shop was kept open until about 9 p.m. on Tuesday, three hours past the regular closing time.
Maguire said 23 vehicles were dropped off for tire changes Wednesday, and there were also appointments every 20 minutes.
“Our busiest day of the year, that’s for sure,” he said.
He said people have been getting the message that a snowstorm could be on the way.
“A lot of people are wishing they booked in a while ago,” Maguire said.
ICBC spokesman Sam Corea said motorists are required to be ready for all road conditions.
“No matter what conditions are, you should always have properly treaded tires, whether it’s summer, winter, rain or snow,” Corea said. “People who drive on badly worn tires put themselves at risk.”
Having a collision in snow without winter tires will not void insurance, but it could have an impact on the amount of fault a driver is assessed, he said.
A survey conducted for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada indicates that the percentage of B.C. residents owning winter tires has jumped to 49 this year from 38 in 2014.
The Malahat is among several sections of highway on Vancouver Island where winter tires are required.
At the Hillside Centre Canadian Tire, shovels, window scrapers, wood pellets and other seasonal fare have all been in high demand — but salt for spreading on walks and driveways has been the prized item.
A big supply sold out in about three hours on Tuesday, with customers emptying 10 shipping pallets piled with bags of the product, said spokesman Zac Trudeau.
He said an emergency order has been placed for more.
“We’re expecting about 2,000 bags mid-next week.”
Environment Canada has issued a weather alert in advance of the storm, which is expected to begin this afternoon and bring not only snow to some areas of Vancouver Island and the south coast, but also strong winds. Lingering cold temperatures could mean snow will remain on the ground for several days.
Another system could bring more snow starting Sunday night.
In Victoria, Saanich and other municipalities, residents are required to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes. In Victoria, it must be done by 10 a.m. after a snow event, said Fraser Work, director of engineering and public works. Those who don’t are subject to a $125 fine.
Business owners have the same responsibility, Work said.
Salting sidewalks is encouraged but not required for residents and business owners, but salt, sand and brine — a solution of salt water and anti-icing components — are all used by the city for dealing with snow and ice.
Priority areas include bus stops, wheelchair ramps, emergency routes, hills on arterial roads and bridges.
“The first priority is the town centre, and then we work outward on the lower priorities from there,” Work said.
On the highways, Mainland South Island Contracting has a fleet of vehicles that spreads salt when conditions arise, with crews on shift 24 hours a day.
[email protected]
Winter driving tips
Winter driving tips from the Insurance Corp. of B.C. and Mainland South Island Contracting:
• Equip your vehicle with four matching winter tires.
• Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions, so it is important to slow down when there is snow and ice. Give yourself at least twice the braking distance you would take on clear roads.
• When skidding on black ice — common in shaded areas and on bridges — ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. Do not brake. This procedure might have to be repeated a number of times before your vehicle is under control.
• Plan ahead by checking road conditions at drivebc.ca.
• Use your headlights during the day when there is bad weather.
• Ensure tires are properly inflated, windshield wipers are in good condition and wiper fluid is at an adequate level.
• Prepare an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, first-aid supplies, jumper cables and blankets.
• Keep the gas tank full to help prevent condensation that can lead to frozen fuel lines.
