It has become a white four-days-before-Christmas for several communities across Vancouver Island as heavy snow is falling early on Monday morning.
Environment Canada has said that between 15 and 25 cm of snow is expected in certain areas of the Island, including Greater Victoria, Goldstream, the Malahat, Mill Bay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay and Fanny Bay.
“A deepening Pacific low will make its way across Washington state today. Abundant moisture associated with the low will result in very heavy wet snow over Vancouver Island,” reads a statement from Environment Canada in a public weather alert.
For communities south of Comox, the agency predicts that snowfall amounts could reach up to 15 cm before the precipitation tapers off this afternoon.
Snowing in rural Saanich! Very heavy/wet snow. Starting to stick! @CHEK_News #yyj #yyjweather #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/OuhPv7z2Xl
— Julian Kolsut (@juliankolsut) December 21, 2020
The precipitation will also include rain, which Environment Canada says will turn to wet snow at higher elevations as temperatures cool down.
Environment Canada cautions that “rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult.” The weather agency notes that visibility is expected to be reduced and that surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate.
DriveBC has echoed these sentiments early on Monday as well, asking drivers to use extra caution, particularly on the Malahat.
#Malahat – Wet with glare at the bottom, snow at the top. Please use extra caution today and preview your route @DriveBC https://t.co/Rjh5uhiMCi#yyj #vanisle #shiftintowinter pic.twitter.com/4RkeVZL9fZ
— BC Transportation (@TranBC) December 21, 2020
Environment Canada says that the snow will end late this afternoon.
#Snowfall Warning is in effect for East Vancouver Island and Inland Vancouver Island and snow is now thick, covering roads in @cityofnanaimo @CHEK_News Roads are very slippery at higher elevations and on hills. @DriveBC pic.twitter.com/8Jp7eqReG3
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) December 21, 2020
Its coming down in Nanaimo! pic.twitter.com/OTVp8cgwPM
— I Am Who We Are (@iamCentauri) December 21, 2020
Graham Cox
