Heavy snow falls in Victoria on Feb. 8, 2019.
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for most of Vancouver Island and up to 10 centimetres is expected in some areas on Friday.
The areas under the snowfall warning are west Vancouver Island, inland Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria, the Malahat Highway from Goldstream to Mill Bay, and east Vancouver Island from Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay.
The weather agency said areas away from the water and over higher terrain, such as the Malahat, Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan Lake will see the highest accumulations of snow with amounts near 10 centimetres by Saturday morning. Areas near the water may see upwards of five centimetres of snow. Mainroad said they will be perofrming snow removal operations on all highways until the weather event passes and roads are clear.
Snow on the Malahat Summit as of 11:01 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2019. (BC HighwayCams).
Although we’re not used to it here, the Malahat is a mountain pass and like the rest of BC sudden winter conditions can take place – like right now. Please be prepared for travel and allow extra travel time as the contractor keeps the road plowed to provincial highway specs pic.twitter.com/XU3sMPK6Bt
— Van Island District (@TranBCVanIsle) February 8, 2019
Near Nanaimo, heavy flurries may develop this evening resulting in snowfall accumulations of 10 cm or more in a short period of time.
From Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay, Environment Canada said that snow will fall throughout the day and a band of convective flurries is forecast to develop after 4 p.m. This band has the capability of producing heavy snow and poor visibility for a short period of time. Localized accumulations of five to 10 cm are in the forecast.
Drivers along this stretch of Vancouver Island and those going on Highway 4 to Port Alberni are advised to be prepared for a sudden reduction in visibility in heavy snow and rapid accumulation Friday evening. The threat of heavy snow is expected to end in this area by midnight.
Environment Canada said due to the convective nature, snowfall accumulations may be highly variable and episodic throughout the afternoon and tonight. The threat of snow will end by early Saturday morning.
From Courtenay to Campbell River, there is a special weather statement in effect as snow will continue throughout Friday. Accumulations will vary considerably across the South Coast but generally the areas from Courtenay to Campbell River and along the Sunshine Coast – Saltery Bay to Powell River are forecast to receive total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm by the time the snow ends overnight.
On west Vancouver Island, an intensifying low-pressure system offshore is bringing snow, heavy at time, to areas between Port Renfrew and Sooke. Snow is expected to continue for the rest of the day Localized snowfall accumulation of 5 to 10 cm can be expected.
The Comox Valley is under a special air quality statement because of high concentrations of fine particulates that are expected to persist until weather conditions change. Open burning restrictions are in effect for the Comox Valley within 15 kilometres of Courtenay City Hall for a period of two days.
The southern Gulf Islands and Greater Victoria are still under a wind warning Strong outflow winds gusting to 90 km/h are expected to develop this evening. Any falling snow during the period of strong winds may result in reduced visibilities in blowing snow. The strong winds will persist on Saturday.
North Vancouver Island is not under any warnings.
Alexa Huffman
