Some post-secondary schools in B.C. have moved to online learning Tuesday as snow continues to batter the Lower Mainland and parts of Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada has forecasted Metro Vancouver will be hit with two to four centimetres of snow, expected to taper off in the afternoon. Meanwhile, parts of Vancouver Island, which began digging out from under the snow Monday, will get more snow today. East Vancouver Island from Duncan to Nanaimo is forecasted to get five centimetres of snow for a storm total of 20 to 25 centimetres.
The University of British Columbia cancelled in-person learning on its Vancouver campus. Classes also moved online for students at Capilano University’s campuses in North Vancouver, Lonsdale and the Sunshine Coast. Its Squamish campus remains open.
Due to anticipated weather conditions, UBC is cancelling in-person learning activities on the Vancouver campus for Tuesday. Classes may move online. Look for communication from instructors. Necessary services will be maintained. Read more: <a href=”https://t.co/AWTsDnpHII”>https://t.co/AWTsDnpHII</a> <a href=”https://t.co/gMRTxJY8ds”>pic.twitter.com/gMRTxJY8ds</a>
—@UBC
All on-campus classes at Vancouver Community College have also been cancelled.
All elementary and secondary schools in North Vancouver and West Vancouver will also be closed Tuesday, according to North Vancouver School District superintendent Pius Ryan, who said other school districts were still assessing just before 6 a.m. PST.
On Vancouver Island, the University of Victoria, Camosun College and Vancouver Island University campuses are all closed Tuesday.
The Greater Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Gulf Islands and Saanich school districts have also confirmed all its schools are closed for the day. Further north on Vancouver Island, schools in the Campbell River, Qualicum, and Comox Valley districts are also closed.
Winter has finally arrived on Vancouver Island. As Claire Palmer reports, Nanaimo saw upwards of 15 centimetres of snow on Monday, with more to come as crews work to keep the streets clear. The City of Nanaimo’s David Thompson says if you don’t have to go out, it’s best to stay home.
Multiple highway collisions
There have been multiple collisions in both directions on Highway 1 near the Port Mann Bridge that are causing “extreme traffic delays,” according to B.C. Highway Patrol. Commuters are being asked to reconsider driving until the roads are clear.
“If you’re a confident driver who is prepared for the snow, you need to slow down more than usual,” Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with B.C. Highway Patrol said in a statement. “If you’re not a confident driver, or your car isn’t winter ready, stay off the roads entirely. This isn’t your day.”
DriveBC reported there were multiple spun out vehicles westbound between Mountain Highway and Lynn Valley Road in North Vancouver.
Many bus routes are also experiencing delays due to road conditions, according to TransLink.
⚠️UPDATE – <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortMannBridge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#PortMannBridge</a> vehicle incident has the HOV lane blocked. Crews on scene. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coquitlam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Coquitlam</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurreyBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#SurreyBC</a> <a href=”https://t.co/lm9lDWwel8″>https://t.co/lm9lDWwel8</a>
—@DriveBC
Arctic outflow, extreme cold warnings
Environment Canada has issued several snowfall, arctic outflow and extreme cold warnings across the province.
Arctic outflow warnings are issued when bitterly cold air flows from the interior to coastal communities and the outflow winds create wind chill values of –20 C or less for six hours or more, according to the federal weather agency.
It said an arctic air mass combined with very strong outflow winds is giving low wind chill values near –20 C in the eastern Fraser Valley, including Hope. The cold temperatures are expected to last until Wednesday morning.
Environment Canada is warning people to wear hats, scarves and gloves when outdoors, as frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken.
B.C.’s North and Central coasts, including inland regions, could see wind chill values as low as –25 C, according to Environment Canada.
The mainland inlets could get northeasterly winds gusting up to 120 km/h, before reducing to 60 to 90 km/h by Wednesday morning.
