Winter storm forecast to wallop B.C.
CBC News | Posted: January 10, 2014 4:58 PM | Last Updated: January 10, 2014
Avalanche danger closes Trans-Canada on Friday morning
Several highways in B.C. were closed for avalanche control on Friday morning as the latest in a series of winter storms dumped another blanket of snow across the province's southern Interior.
The Trans-Canada Highway was closed both east and west of Revelstoke on Friday morning, but reopened around noon after crews dealt with the avalanche conditions.
Further south on Highway 3, Kootenay Pass was also closed for avalanche control on Friday morning, but reopened around 10 a.m. PT.
Environment Canada is warning 10 to 30 centimetres of snow is forecast for much of southeastern B.C. and the Coquihalla Summit by Saturday morning.
On the South Coast and Central Coast, strong winds of 60 to 100 km/h are forecast to hit the regions on Friday afternoon, and up to 50 mm of heavy rain is expected around Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound.
On the West Coast of Vancouver Island Parks Canada is warning storm watchers at Long Beach to expect dangerous waves that could lead to the closure of some areas of Pacific Rim National Park.
"During this time period, storm-force winds are expected to reach up to 90 kilometres per hour and large waves are forecasted at up to 10 meters in height, according to Environment Canada."
"These conditions could result in flooded beaches, floating logs, large waves breaking high up on shore and extremely hazardous surf conditions. The most dangerous period of the day is likely to be at high tide"
Let it snow!
The winter storms have been welcome news for B.C. ski resorts which have been suffering through one of the barest winters in recent memory. Whistler is expected to get 15 cm in the village on Friday night.
On the slopes Whistler Blackcomb has recorded 20 cm of snow in recent days with another 38 cm forecast by Sunday. The weather has also brought fresh snow to resorts on Vancouver's North Shore, with Cypress Mountain forecasting more snow for the weekend. In the interior Big White is also reporting 20 cms of new snow.
The wintery conditions in recent weeks have proved tragic for many though, with nine deaths reported on snowy highways linked to the difficult driving conditions.