Following a series of storms that brought heavy rain to Vancouver Island, Environment Canada has issued another special weather statement to residents suggesting that snow may be in the forecast.
The weather agency says that this weekend has potential for snow with light accumulation across parts of Vancouver Island.
The areas being outlined by Environment Canada that may see snow include Greater Victoria, the Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and along the Malahat Highway.
Environment Canada is also noting that the system will move beyond the coast and hit southern sections of Inland Vancouver Island as well as Qualicum Beach.
Armel Castellan, Emergency Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said wet snow is in the forecast, starting overnight on Friday and carrying into Saturday.
“We are also looking at deeper into the weekend, into Monday morning, where another system is sliding down the coast,” said Castellan.
“We’re now into a northwesterly flow so definitely without question winter tires, shifting into winter right now.”
Tim Van Boven, manager at Fountain Tire, said business has definitely picked up with appointments scheduled weeks in advance.
“If there is snow and ice on the road, the tires are not going to perform the way they need to unless you have winter-rated tires with the three peak mountain snowflake symbol on it,” notes Van Boven as more Vancouver Islanders rush to buy winter tires.
Most of the 70 vehicles in the Emcon Services Inc. fleet were out Thursday night and early Friday morning brining roads, including those in the Cowichan Valley, the Port Alberni summit, and the Malahat.
Andrew Gaetz, Quality Assurance and Operations, Emcon Services Inc. said the crew of forty are prepared when the snow starts falling.
“Our crews have been checking all of our equipment over. plows making sure they’re ready to go. Tire chains, making sure our quantities of salt are all stocked and ready.”
The snow is expected to be approximately two to four inches over higher terrain, according to Environment Canada.
The agency is cautioning that roads may be slippery amid the wet, snowy conditions, particularly on the Malahat.
While there is potential for snow, Environment Canada says that there is a low probability that it will significantly accumulate over this time period.
On Thursday, flood warnings and road closures were lifted across the province as B.C. emerged from yet another atmospheric river system that brought heavy rain.
Graham Cox
Mary Griffin
