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Forecast calls for 5-10 cm of snow today for southeast Vancouver Island

Environment Canada says snow and wind could disrupt travel plans tonight
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Snow starting to stick in the Diver Lake area Friday morning. NEWS BULLETIN photo

Snow is falling in the mid-Island region — most heavily this morning in Ladysmith — and is expected to spread and get heavier in the afternoon or evening.

Environment Canada updated a snowfall warning Friday morning, forecasting about 10 centimetres of snow today.

“Another round of winter will descend over southeastern Vancouver Island today…” the warning notes. “Near Nanaimo, heavy flurries may develop this evening resulting in snowfall accumulations of 5cm or more in a short period of time.”

Areas further from the water and over high terrain such as the Malahat, Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan Lake should be receiving the most accumulation. Areas closer to the water, including downtown Victoria, will see upwards of 5 cm of snow.

Environment Canada notes that snowfall may be “highly variable and episodic” throughout the afternoon and night time, with no more snow in the forecast by Saturday morning.

All school districts have reported they will be open and operating as usual today.

But your Friday night plans may be in danger as Environment Canada is reporting “quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions” with “rapidly accumulating snow” that could make travel difficult over some locations, but the threat of snow will end by early Saturday morning.

Wind and snowfall warnings have been issued with strong outflow winds gusting to 90 km/h that will develop this evening over the Fraser Valley, southeastern Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands.

Visibility may be reduced due to blowing snow. The winds are expected to continue into Saturday.

Another snowfall warning has been issued for Malahat Highway from Goldstream to Mill Bay, cautioning drivers to drive carefully and use winter tires and chains when driving in the mountains.

Mainroad Mid-Island, the region’s highways contractor, released an advisory yesterday that “motorists should be prepared for winter driving conditions with rainfall, snow accumulations, ice and slushy conditions and water ponding possible.”

Road conditions are available at the DriveBC website.



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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