While some may be ready to say goodbye to the cold weather, the frigid temperatures aren’t ready to leave Vancouver Island just yet.
Greater Victoria, North Vancouver Island, Courtenay to Campbell River and the Southern Gulf Islands remain under an arctic outflow advisory, while Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay is under a special weather statement for snowfall.
The areas under an arctic outflow advisory will see wind chill values of -20°C, in a continuation of similar temperatures seen on Thursday.
READ MORE: Victoria breaks 55-year-old weather record as temperatures plummet
Environment Canada warns people going outside to take proper precautions against the cold.
“Frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors. Any skin exposure will result in frostbite,” the notice from Environment Canada says.
“If outside, dress warmly in layers and stay dry. Cover as much exposed skin as possible to avoid frostbite.”
Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay is expected to receive a significant amount of snow, though the exact amounts have not yet been determined.
The City of Victoria opened an emergency warming centre to support the province’s extreme weather response amid freezing temperatures in Victoria.
A warming centre is now open at the Cook Street Village Activity Centre, 380 Cook St., and is open during the day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and overnight from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. according to Tanya Seal-Jones, City of Victoria emergency program coodinator.
“When there is emergency weather conditions in effect, and all other resources have been used up – so the other extreme weather resource shelters, and overnight shelters, seasonal shelters – when they no longer have any space left, they can contact the city and we’ll activate the warming centre to make sure no one is turned away,” Seal-Jones said.
The city’s warming centre will remain open while the extreme weather response and exposure risks are active, and primary shelters and warming centres are at capacity.
Below are updates on road conditions, transportation, public schools and post-secondary schools.
Highways and roads
Drive BC says highways around the province have adverse conditions and drivers are asked to use caution.
⚠️HEADS UP – here’s a snapshot of some of the highways around BC at 5:30am, this early Friday morning. Drive with caution no matter where your travels take you today. #BCHwy3 #BCHwy5 #BCHwy97 #BCHwy99 #ShiftIntoWinter ❄️
For more information, click here: https://t.co/WmanZpGZEd pic.twitter.com/Z9l85XC8Ia— DriveBC (@DriveBC) January 12, 2024
Highways on the South Island are impacted by snow on the roads.
📣 Morning commuters on South #VanIsle.
Areas impacted most by #BCSnow:
➡️ #BCHwy14 from #Langford to #Sooke
➡️ #BCHwy1 #Malahat
➡️ #BCHwy1 from #Duncan to #CroftonExpect winter driving conditions, sections of compact snow; ice, & temps as low as -10C
Drive Safe! pic.twitter.com/75WrhB4u2x
— Emcon Services Inc. – South Island Division (@EmconSouthVI) January 12, 2024
Emcon warns on Highway 14 that there have been vehicles abandoned between Glinz Lake Rd and Harbourview Rd with several left close to the travel portion of the road.
⚠️ USE CAUTION ⚠️
Abandoned vehicles on #BCHwy14 between Glinz Lake Rd and Harbourview Rd east of #Sooke.
Several vehicles very close to the travel portion of the road.
Our crew has marked the area with cones/warning signs and reported to @SookeRCMP @DriveBC #yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/sGAL9FcH0k
— Emcon Services Inc. – South Island Division (@EmconSouthVI) January 12, 2024
The highway contractor for the mid and north Island also advised of adverse conditions on highways, and that crews would be out maintaining the roads.
Weather Advisory: Cold temperatures with potential for snowfall over the next 24 hours which could cause sudden changes to driving conditions@MainroadMIsland crews are applying anti-icing on highways in the Mid Island region and will be patrolling throughout the event. pic.twitter.com/PL4mrh3IB8
— Mainroad Mid-Island Contracting (@MainroadMIsland) January 11, 2024
WEATHER ADVISORY#ComoxValley #CampbellRiver #PortHardy
Arctic air & strong wind generating wind chills near -20°C across N #VanIsle in next 24-72 hrs. Be prepared for changing condits & allow more travel time
Crews are applying winter material where appropriate@TranBCVanIsle pic.twitter.com/f3oWQbYoKy
— Mainroad North Island Contracting (@MainroadNIsland) January 11, 2024
Ferries and public transit
Most BC Transit routes in Victoria are operating normally, but there are detours for some routes due to road conditions.
Route 57 is not servicing Gourman/Goldie Loop, Route 61 is not servicing Pyrite Hill, and Route 64 is not servicing Sunriver Way or Becher Bay.
The Cowichan Valley system is warning of route changes due to the weather, and advises people to check the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit Rider’s Guide for detours.
The Nanaimo system will post detours and updates on its transit page, which can be found here.
On Salt Spring Island, Route 1 will not service Atkins Road, Route 2 will not service the Burgoyne Bay triangle, Route 3 will not service Mobrae Avenue, Elizabeth Drive, or Chu-An Drive, and Route 5 and 6 will end at Fernwood Elementary School, not servicing Walker’s Hook, Maliview Drive, Stark’s Road, or Robinson Road Bay.
Transit in Campbell River and the Comox Valley remains suspended due to the ongoing strikes.
BC Ferries has cancelled sailings or has them at risk of cancellations to Sturdies Bay due to being unable to dock due to the weather conditions.
#ServiceNotice – Due to adverse weather and unsafe docking conditions, the #SalishEagle is unable to dock at #SturdiesBay. The following sailings have been cancelled for today, January 12: 7:45 am ex #VillageBay & 8:20 am ex #SturdiesBay.
More here 👉 https://t.co/fJxZBm1oGv ^cg
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) January 12, 2024
#ServiceNotice – Due to adverse weather and unsafe docking conditions, the #SalishRaven was unable to dock at #SturdiesBay. The 6:25 am sailing ex #GalianoIsland has been cancelled for today, Friday, January 12:
View the full notice here: https://t.co/2ab6mlvJmT ^cg
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) January 12, 2024
Public school status
Schools across the Island remain open despite the weather, but buses in some districts are seeing cancellations.
The Sooke School District has had a number of bus cancellations on Friday morning.
The following bus routes have been cancelled today due to weather and road conditions:
Routes: 10,11,15,18,19,21,60
Please dress warmly and watch for slippery conditions. Changes in the weather can affect road conditions which can lead to unexpected transportation delays.
— Sooke School District (@SD62_Sooke) January 12, 2024
All Greater Victoria School District schools are open on Friday.
Inclement weather update: all schools within the Greater Victoria School District remain open today. Please travel with care to and from school as roads and sidewalks may be slippery. Dress warmly and enjoy your Friday! pic.twitter.com/SUcQbPpppW
— Greater Victoria SD (@sd61schools) January 12, 2024
On its website, the Saanich School District says all schools are open and buses are running.
The Nanaimo Ladysmith School District has all classes and buses running, but buses will use winter route stops.
January 12, 2024
School is open and buses will run with some using winter route stops. The Transportation Department will alert the families of affected schools.— School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) (@sd68bc) January 12, 2024
The Qualicum School District says schools are open, but buses in the Nanoose Bay area are cancelled.
Qualicum Schools are in session Jan. 12 but several bus routes in the Nanoose area will be cancelled due to poor road conditions.
Texts will confirm specific buses.
— QUALICUM SCHOOL DISTRICT (@SD69Qualicum) January 12, 2024
The Vancouver Island North School District says it will update on its Facebook page if there are any closures, and as of 7:30 a.m. no updates had been posted.
Similarly, nothing had been posted by the Vancouver Island West School District, Campbell River School District, Comox Valley School District, Pacific Rim School District, Cowichan Valley School District and Gulf Island School District.
Post-secondary schools
Royal Roads University is open on Jan. 12.
The campus is OPEN today, Friday, Jan. 12. Road clearing and brining was done overnight but icy and slippery sections remain on all roads.
Academic programming will proceed as usual today, with buildings and classrooms open.
Please use caution when walking or driving around… pic.twitter.com/WoF3NdzEGw
— Royal Roads (@RoyalRoads) January 12, 2024
Camosun College campuses are both open.
Our campuses are open today!
With freezing temperatures throughout the region please prepare for the weather give yourself extra time to travel and stay warm. Grounds crews have been salting the parking lots, pathways and roads on campuses. pic.twitter.com/TidBdI9vn2
— Camosun College (@Camosun) January 12, 2024
The University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University and North Island College had not provided an update by 8 a.m.
❄️ℹ️ Winter weather warning
Cold weather and snow are expected in Victoria soon. Plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and wear suitable clothing. In the event of extreme weather, check the UVic website for campus operation updates.https://t.co/5GPuMSflOm pic.twitter.com/MAKRYlBm0X
— UniversityOfVictoria (@uvic) January 11, 2024
Freezing temperatures are expected throughout the region starting Thursday night over the coming days. ❄️ #Camosun grounds crews have been salting roads and pathways on campus. Dress warmly to avoid frostbite or hypothermia, and watch out for slippery surfaces. #YYJ #YYJweather pic.twitter.com/uevnF1SJaa
— Camosun College (@Camosun) January 11, 2024
Laura Brougham
Mary Griffin
