Posted: Apr. 12, 2022 5:00PM | Last Updated: Apr. 12, 2022 6:05PM

CHEK

No, it’s not a late April Fools’ Day prank.

Snow is once again falling on parts of Vancouver Island after Environment Canada issued a warning about heavy snow Tuesday morning.

The weather agency says that heavy snowfall is expected near Campbell River and inland sections of East Vancouver Island today throughout this morning and into the early afternoon.

Wet snow also started falling in areas around Nanaimo and Greater Victoria as well by approximately 7 a.m.

In Greater Victoria, the snowflakes began to get thicker by approximately 8:30 a.m. while also starting to stick to the ground.

Environment Canada suggests that snow levels could reach up to five centimetres in certain areas, particularly around Campbell River and East Vancouver Island.

❄️ SNOW ALERT ❄️
Heavy, wet snow coming down at sea level near the water in Victoria this morning… in April! Crazy!! Fortunately, it’s melting as soon as it hits. @CHEK_News @CHEK_media #yyj #BCStorm #BCwx #BCsnow #yyjsnow pic.twitter.com/12TEy0xr5P

— Tess van Straaten (@tessvanstraaten) April 12, 2022

By mid-morning, DriveBC webcams were showing significant snowfall along some of the mid-Island highways, such as Highway 28, which travels to Gold River.

Areas near the water such as Comox are expected to see wet snow change to rain near noon as the southeast winds off the Strait of Georgia strengthen and raise temperatures, according to Environment Canada. Areas away from the water will see more accumulation and will likely see snow falling into the afternoon on Tuesday.

Best April ever lol pic.twitter.com/3zNfh8KWZy

— Linda Jones (@dimenl) April 12, 2022

“The south coast remains under the influence of a cold and unstable airmass,” reads a statement from Environment Canada. “A low-pressure system offshore will draw in moisture resulting in convective flurries across Vancouver Island.”

The road to Gold River this morning (April 12. APRIL 12!) pic.twitter.com/r5nRMkEi9L

— Keith Vass (@keithvass) April 12, 2022

Henry Beaulac, a resident of Gold River,

The unusual mid-April snowstorm blanketed the Comox Valley and northern Vancouver Island, with a stretch of the North Island highway getting the brunt and the biggest accumulations of it.

“It’s very bad. The road is heavy, snow is packing, it’s hydroplaning it’s awful. I am not coming back tonight, I am going to stay in town,” said Henry Beaulac, a resident of Gold River.

As much as 15 to 20 centimetres of snow is thought to have fallen in the region, stranding many on the side of the road, others jutted out of ditches and trapped big rigs as conditions turned dangerous quickly.

Rick Hickey, a Gold River resident, who was driving along Highway 28, said there is about 15 to 20 cm on the ground.

“There’s probably six cars in the ditch on the way,” he said.

Trucker Lawrence Kain, pulled over awaiting snowplows, as even with chains, the snow-covered hills turned too much for him to head home to Ladysmith.

“It’s a challenge all right. Very challenging,” he said.

A winter wonderland. Except that it’s April 12th! In #yyj! Snowing now for 90 minutes and no sign it’s letting up. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/vht39g3Ifc

— Mary Griffin (@Mary_Griffin_) April 12, 2022