Wild weather in the forecast across B.C. as blizzards blast Interior

Various weather warnings for blizzards, rain and heavy rainfallare in effect for many parts of B.C. as a snowstorm wallops the central and northern Interior.

After a warm start to the winter, colder weather with increasing chances of snow isin the forecast for the Fraser Valley, Victoria area, eastern Vancouver Island, southern Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast according to special weather statements from Environment Canada.

Meanwhile, other parts of the province are experiencing severe cold and blizzards. Forecasters sayareas between the Bulkley Valley and the Peace region could see up to 40 centimetres of snow by Saturday morning.

The agency said areas near and along Highway 16 east of Prince George towardMcBride, B.C.;Highway 97 north of Prince George;and around Tumbler Ridge, B.C., may see close to 50 centimetres by Saturday morning.

Winds between40 and 60 km/h will create near-whiteout conditions on those roads, particularly Highway 97, all day Friday. Drivers are being asked to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

• Read public weather alerts for B.C. here

A little further south, winter storm and snowfall warnings were in effect for most of B.C.'s eastern edge, from Prince George to the Yellowhead Highway, and down to the Boundary and West Kootenayregions. Some of those areas could see more than 30 centimetres of snow.

In the far northwestern corner of the province, near the borders with Yukon and Alaska, Environment Canada warns that extreme cold will settle in over the weekend, with lows down to30 C Friday night and wind-chill values near45 C.

Steady rain will continue along the South Coast on Friday. A rainfall warning is in effect for North Vancouver and West Vancouver, with up to 50 millimetres in the forecast.