Up to 39 cm of snow reported as winter storm blows through southwestern B.C.

UPDATE Jan. 18, 2024:Classes cancelled again in southwest B.C. as more snow, freezing rain approaches

Much of southern B.C. lay under a thick blanket of snow on Wednesday evening after a winter storm blew through the province.

As of 4 p.m. PT, 28 centimetres of snow had fallen at Vancouver International Airport, and volunteer weather watchers were reporting more than 30 centimetres in some parts of the Lower Mainland, reaching a maximum of 39 centimetres in Chilliwack, according to Environment Canada.

Though the snow had tapered off in Metro Vancouver by evening, theUniversityof British Columbia, Simon Fraser University,BCITand Capilano University all announced that in-person classes would be cancelled for a second day in a row on Thursday.

On Vancouver Island, where up to 21centimetres of snow was reported in some areas, Environment Canada has issueda new round of weather warnings about another storm forecast to hit the region beginning on Thursday afternoon.

Another 10 to 20 centimetres of snow could fall on the eastern side of the island by Friday afternoon, while inland areas may see strong winds and prolonged periods of freezing rain.

Watch | Snow strikes southern B.C.:

Heavy snow closes schools, snarls traffic in southwestern B.C.

8 months ago

Duration 2:41

As much as 30 centimetres of snow blanketed B.C.'s South Coast, closing schools across the region and causing difficult travel conditions. Environment Canada says another storm is on the way that could bring sleet and freezing rain.

Read more about snow conditions across the province:

As the snow dissipated in Metro Vancouver ahead of the afternoon commute, public transit users were warned to expect delays.TransLinksaid its 18-metre articulated buses were being swapped out for 12-metre vehicles that are more agile in the snow, which means less space for passengers on some major routes.

The SkyTrainis running less frequently, and some bus routes in the Tri-Cities have been cancelled until conditions improve.

"It's really all hands on deck today," said TransLink spokesperson Tina Lovgreen about efforts being made to get people to their destinations.

All alerts from TransLinkare here.

WATCH | Messy morning commute across South Coast:

Snowfall blankets southwest B.C. during morning commute

8 months ago

Duration 1:56

From blowing-snow conditions to clearing bridge cables and vehicles spinning out on hills, the morning commute across the South Coast got off to a messy start Wednesday morning. According to Environment Canada, up to 20 centimetres of snow is expected across the region by the evening.

All school districts in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley announced early Wednesday that schools would not open.

The Greater Victoria and Sooke school districts, however, said all their schools would open on Wednesday.

Classes were cancelled across the rest of southern Vancouver Island, and across the Sunshine Coast. Parents in other areas of the province were encouraged to check the website of their school or district for closures.

Most post-secondary institutions,including the University of British Columbia andSimon Fraser University, also cancelledon-campus classesas snowfall accumulatedinthe second winter storm of 2024.

Around noon,B.C. Hydro reported more than 20,000 customers without power across the South Coast, mostly on Vancouver Island. Many were caused by heavy snow ortrees falling on wires.

Canada Post suspended mail delivery for the day in Metro Vancouver due to conditions.

In Vancouver, an extreme weather alert issued by the city will remain in effect until Thursday, and additional shelter spaces and warming centres have been opened.

WATCH | Metro Vancouver's struggles with snow:

Why Metro Vancouver traffic struggles with small amounts of snow

8 months ago

Duration 1:18

With the region bracing for 10-20 centimetres of snow, Justin McElroy looks at the reasons Vancouverites seem to be the butt of jokes from the rest of Canada whenever a snowstorm hits.

Morning road conditions

The City of Vancouverhas encouraged only essential travel only on city roads, and advised drivers to use city traffic cameras to check road conditions.

Uber driver Inderraj Gillbegan work at 5 a.m. PT and had been from White Rock to the Vancouver International Airport. He said the roads were snowy, but other drivers were being cautious.

"People are driving slow, they're at crawling speeds and in comparison to last year I remember being stuck in traffic for seven hours in New Westminster," he said.

Gill said he observed some vehicles driving too close to others.

"That's one advice that I'd like to put out there:We should keep a lot of gap between the front and back of the other cars," he said.

Janelle Staitewith the province's Ministry of Transportation says tow trucks and salting and brining equipmentare in place on highways to deal with the conditions, and the ministry is asking drivers to make sure theyare equipped for emergencies in case there are road closures or delays.

"You do want to make sure that you have sufficient fuel if you do have to be waiting in an area, as well as a blanket and some food to keep you warm," she said.

WATCH |Instructor offers some tips on driving in the snow:

Tips and tricks for driving in the snow

2 years ago

Duration 6:23

CBC Vancouver host Lien Yeung takes a driving lesson at Mount Seymour with Driving Unlimited Academy instructor Patrick Ah-Yu, who shows her how to get a car winter-ready and provides tips on driving in snowy conditions.

Maintenance crews responsible for highways in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island made similar recommendations, and suggested anyone who has to hit the roads should be equipped with warm clothes, food, water and fully charged phones.

For up-to-date road conditions around the province, visit DriveBC.ca.

Flights andferries

Vancouver International Airport said the weather was also affecting flight schedules. It is asking travellers to check with airlines over the status of their flights.

B.C. Ferries cancelled two Wednesday sailings on theDuke Point-Tsawwassenroutebetween Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver, saying on social media that road conditions made the company unable to secure the required crew numbers to sail. The affected sailings are the 8:15 p.m. from Tsawwassen and the10:45 p.m. from Duke Point.

Current conditions can be viewed on the company's website andX page.

The snowy spell is not expected to last long, with rain in the forecast for the rest of the week and highs of up to8 C by Saturday.