Snow showed up in several Vancouver Island communities Monday, but it’s not likely to turn up in Victoria until the end of the week — if at all.
Lake Cowichan and Campbell River were among Monday’s snowy spots, with some roadside accumulations on the Malahat, while heavy rain hit parts of Greater Victoria
Snowfall warnings were issued for eastern Vancouver Island from Duncan to Campbell River.
But with temperatures set to start dropping as the weekend approaches, capital region residents should be checking the DriveBC website for changing road conditions and ensuring their pipes don’t freeze, said Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan.
The forecast low is –8 C for Thursday, –5 C for Friday and –6 C for Saturday. In Campbell River, the temperature could drop as low as –10 C during that period.
Castellan said the conditions are favourable for snow down to sea level, “but it could also warm up slowly and nothing happens.”
“The wintry blast, temperature-wise, is guaranteed, but whether or not it comes with a whack of snow — those details need to be determined.”
For now, Environment Canada is calling for periods of snow overnight Thursday with a 60 per cent chance of flurries in Greater Victoria on Friday, a 30 per cent chance Saturday and a 60 per cent chance Sunday.
BC Ferries has cancelled its 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. departures Tuesday from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen because of expected strong winds and high waves.
The 7:45 a.m. sailing departing Duke Point (Nanaimo) and the 10:15 a.m. sailing departing Tsawwassen (Vancouver) have also been cancelled, but the following sailings previously at risk of cancellation are expected to sail as scheduled:
- 7:45 a.m. departing Tsawwassen (Vancouver)
- 10:15 a.m. departing Duke Point (Nanaimo)
As temperatures drop, Our Place has 50 mats available for the unhoused community at its Pandora Avenue centre — an increase of 20 from last year — which are available for overnight shelter on a first-come, first-served basis, said spokesman Grant McKenzie. Our Place has put out a call for socks, gloves, tuques and other warm clothing that can be handed out to people who need it, said McKenzie, adding items can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave. at any time of day.
“Just anything you think would keep someone warm overnight.”
He said that Our Place staff members keep “an extra-vigilant lookout” during cold weather for anyone in distress.
With snow on the horizon, Tires Unlimited is seeing customers looking for winter tires. Service adviser Alex Permaul is expecting that trickle of interest, which started before Christmas, to turn into a torrent when the first flakes fall.
“It almost feels like people are seeing if it is going to snow or not,” Permaul said. “But the moment the first snowflake touches the ground, there’s going to be an influx of calls.” Some of those coming in now are preparing to travel up-Island, where there is more potential for snow, he said.
Permaul said drivers should be aware of seasonal-tire requirements on stretches of highway such as the Malahat and Highways 4, 14 and 28, which are in effect from Oct. 1 to March 31. Non-compliance can lead to a $121 fine.
Tires with a three-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires meet the standard if they have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread.
The District of Sooke issued a notice Monday noting that critical routes for bus traffic, school zones and major intersections are given priority for snow clearance by Victoria Contracting.
Roads in the district are treated with anti-icing brine as needed.
As in other municipalities, residents and business owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks bordering their property.
“Snowfall isn’t as common in Sooke as it is elsewhere in the country, so it’s understandable that many people might not be confident driving in such conditions,” said Sooke emergency-program manager Jason Humphries in a statement. “Making use of transit or talking with your employer about remote-work options in the event of adverse weather conditions are things to consider when it come to household and individualized emergency planning.”
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