Up to 40 cm of snow coming as winter storm warning hits Prince George, parts of north and central B.C.
Drivers warned of 'near zero' visibility, commuters told to expect transit delays
A winter storm warning remains in effect for parts of northern and central B.C., with between 30 and 40 centimetres of snowfall in the forecast.
The weather agency issued the warning Monday, saying a total of 30 to 40 centimetres of snow could fall through Wednesday as a Pacific frontal system stalls over B.C.'s Interior.
The storm warning says drivers in some areas should expect "near zero" visibility and should "consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve."
B.C. Transit is also warning of delays to its bus system because of road conditions.
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Charlene Mattson says her bus was stuck in the snow at a stop on 5 Avenue Tuesday afternoon. A group of six to eight passengers joined forces to push the bus and get it moving.
"A couple of 12-year-old boys were on the bus and they pretty much took charge," Mattson said.
"They grabbed a shovel from a neighbour and started trying to dig us out and one of the kids almost crawled under the bus trying to dig out the snow that got wedged. After that it was a lot of digging and then trying to push the bus out while the bus rocks back and forth."
Environment Canada says prolonged heavy snow is expected in communities along Highway 16 from Fraser Lake to McBride including Vanderhoof and Prince George, communities along Highway 97 from McLeese Lake to Bear Lake, including Quesnel, the Northern Cariboo Mountains including Wells and Barkerville, Fort St. James, as well as Yellowhead and Yellowhead Highway, from Tête Jaune Cache to the Alberta boundary.
Snowfall warnings are also in effect for the south Peace River region and the Pine Pass of Highway 97.
Roads and walkways could be hard to navigate as snow accumulates and visibility may be reduced due to heavy snowfall.
Elsewhere in B.C., Metro Vancouver drivers were warned to slow down on roads due to morning flurries. Up to two centimetres of wet snow is expected Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.