British Columbia braces for storms and ice as ‘Arctic air’ approaches during the holidays

British Columbia residents are urged to prepare for extremely cold temperatures, power outages and slippery streets as a series of winter storms and freezing rain warnings covered most of the province.

The British Columbia government issued a statement saying heavy storms would collide with cold Arctic air across the province between Tuesday and New Year’s Day.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it is important to carefully watch the forecast and watch out for the most vulnerable, while Transport Minister Rob Fleming discouraged travel that is not necessary.

The province says planning ahead and driving according to road conditions is especially important, as travel restrictions remain in effect along sections of numerous roads damaged by severe flooding and landslides last month.

Environment Canada’s advisories cover much of the province, including the risk of freezing rain in the Greater Vancouver area and inland Vancouver Island.

The meteorological office says high-elevation sections of numerous highways could also see significant snowfall between Tuesday and Thursday.

That includes up to 10 inches of snow on the Sea to Sky Highway, on Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton, and up to 16 inches along flood-damaged stretches of the Coquihalla Highway, with the added risk of freezing rain.

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In southeastern British Columbia, Environment Canada says Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass could see up to 70 centimeters of snow that will last through Thursday.

Snowfall accumulations of between 10 and 25 centimeters were also expected along British Columbia’s border with Alberta, extending to the Yellowhead Highway inland central and north and from the Peace River to the Bulkley Valley.

Inland parts of the North Shore, including Kitimat, Stewart and Terrace, are forecast to see 15 to 20 centimeters of snow.

This Canadian Press report was first published on December 21, 2021.