Avalanche Canada has posted a “high” avalanche danger rating for Vancouver Island for Friday.
The updated forecast at 4 p.m. Thursday is calling for an avalanche danger rating of high, which is considered very dangerous, across all of Vancouver Island.
The high rating is specifically for the alpine and the treeline. The risk will be moderate below the treeline.
Avalanche Canada says: “Heavy loading from new snow, wind, and rain will create very dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid avalanche terrain and exposure to overhead hazard.”
A new storm brought several centimetres of snow to the Island by Thursday evening with more predicted overnight.
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“Right to sea level, yep, we’re seeing it all through the Comox Valley, Highway 19A, 19 and if you don’t have to be out there on the road I, would definitely recommend you just stay home until the weekend,” said Mainroad North Island manager Chris Cowley.
That’s when temperatures are finally expected to be above freezing, however, until then drivers can expect to face varying snow and highway conditions as temperatures fluctuate around zero.
“It’s a pretty difficult time for road maintenance and drivers out there too because that’s going to come with ice, freezing rain, a lot of troubles maintaining traction on the road,” Cowley added.
Meanwhile areas north of Campbell River, such as Woss, Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Sointula and Alert Bay, have seen little to no snow.
A snowplow is pictured on the Mid-Island on Jan. 18, 2024. (CHEK News)
Dean Stoltz
