B.C. has endured a week dotted with record-low temperatures, and more snow is on the way with a special weather statement in effect for parts of Vancouver Island.
“We’re talking about a snowfall warning, so 10 centimetres could be eclipsed in a 24-hour period,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan.
“It could be actually quite a bit more than that in places like Cobble Hill, and the Malahat.”
Drivers are encouraged to check DriveBC for updated road conditions, and the latest numbers from ICBC show people on Vancouver Island are taking proper precautions for the conditions.
When it comes to winter tires, 71 per cent say they’ve outfitted their vehicles for snow.
ICBC Road Safety and Community Coordinator Colleen Woodger recommends doing more than the bare minimum when it comes to tires.
“Snow and mud tires are what you require for most of our roads, but if we’re getting some tough weather you might want to make sure you have those winter tires on,” said Woodger.
READ ALSO: ICBC Survey shows 71% of drivers on Island utilize winter tires
According to Castellan, snow should start falling Tuesday night and will last through Wednesday, and possibly into Thursday. As for the Capital Region, snowfall totals might not reach warning levels.
“Victoria, because of rain and snow, might not quite meet criteria,” he says.
Woodger says while equipping your car with the proper tires is a good safeguard, drivers must adapt their habits to the conditions.
“When we see ice or snow or any kind of winter driving conditions, we need to adapt to that environment.”
She adds, “That means slowing down and keeping distance between you and other vehicles and really being focused on the road and watching out for those patches of black ice and whatever might be out there.”
Jordan Cunningham
