Snowfall and extreme cold warnings covered northern BC on Saturday, while the more populated regions of southern BC saw less severe weather statements in effect.
“Right now we are seeing a fairly large system moving towards the coast of British Columbia, but fortunately most of the snow associated with it will remain in the northern Lower Mainland,” said Gregg Walters, Meteorologist for Environment and Change. Climate. Canada.
A frontal system of the Pacific moving northeast brought warnings of heavy snow and extreme cold in areas like Prince George, Quesnel, Bulkley Valley and other districts.
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Environment Canada warned that a frontal system near the Yukon border would push wind chill temperatures near or below -45C.
A warning for the central coast near Bella Bella said a low pressure system would bring in two to four inches of snow before turning into rain at noon Saturday.
Special weather statements warned of snow mixed with rain in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, eastern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
There was also a risk of freezing rain for the Fraser Valley, he said.
“That may be a bit worrisome, but we’re not going to see anywhere near the snowfall we saw Wednesday and Thursday,” Walters said.
The sustained cold spell is caused in part by entrenched arctic air in the interior of the province that has seeped to the coast through inlets and valleys, he added.
The agency warned drivers to prepare to adapt to changing road conditions, noting that winter weather can deteriorate quickly.
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“Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and obtain an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first aid kit and a flashlight,” the warning read.
DriveBC also warned of a high risk of avalanches and road closures on sections of Highways 1, 3, 12, 16, 31 and 99.
The Transport Ministry said in a statement that sections of highways 1 and 3 had been closed since Thursday due to the risk, as well as large avalanche deposits on the highway.
“Crews are working to clean up the reservoirs after receiving clearance from the avalanche team,” the statement said.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca