Close X
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Winter weather settles in over B.C. with warning of treacherous roads, avalanche risk

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Jan, 2024 05:44 PM
  • Winter weather settles in over B.C. with warning of treacherous roads, avalanche risk

British Columbia's government is warning residents of treacherous roads, cold temperatures and dangerous avalanche conditions as the year's first blast of winter settles in.

The Ministry of Emergency Management said after a warm start to winter, the forecast has returned to what is more seasonal and will remain that way for the days and weeks ahead.

After emerging from a series of snow and wind advisories, B.C. is now in for some frigid weather, with a forecast of bitter cold in the northern part of the province with a prediction of -41 C in Fort St. John by Friday night and -7 C for the same time in Vancouver.

The ministry issued a statement Tuesday urging drivers to be prepared for changing road conditions and avoid unnecessary travel in poor weather.

It also said people who use the backcountry need to be mindful of conditions and "use extreme caution in mountainous terrain."

Avalanche Canada classified the terrain as "very dangerous" for mountains throughout much of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Sea to Sky and Fraser Valley regions, as well as the east Kootenay area, including Fernie.

The avalanche forecaster said the danger is high in both the alpine and treeline after more than 30 centimetres of snow and extreme winds created touchy storm slabs ready to come down.

"We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather," Avalanche Canada said in its summary.

RCMP in Merritt cautioned drivers on how quickly conditions on the Coquihalla Highway can change in the winter months.

Mounties said one person died in a crash on the highway Monday.

Police said a Ford pickup truck was travelling south when it crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting a semi-truck and trailer.

Investigators said the driver of the pickup truck was declared dead at the scene, while a passenger was airlifted to hospital.

Videos posted online Tuesday showed vehicles losing traction and sliding down roads in Kamloops, B.C., while others showed whitecap waves crashing into the west coast of Vancouver Island, where thousands woke up without power.

More than 18,000 people were without power at the peak of high winds on Tuesday, mostly in the Lower Mainland, on the Sunshine Coast and on Vancouver Island, including parts of Victoria.

BC Ferries cancelled some sailings on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island on Tuesday.

MORE National ARTICLES

5 paddlers and a dog rescued from Yukon river

5 paddlers and a dog rescued from Yukon river
Five paddlers and a dog were rescued from Kathleen River in Kluane National Park after they lost their canoe in rough water. Yukon R-C-M-P say it happened on Saturday when Parks Canada staff were told about the group of stranded paddlers.  

5 paddlers and a dog rescued from Yukon river

Highest court refuses to hear appeal from B.C. churches opposed to COVID-19 ruling

Highest court refuses to hear appeal from B.C. churches opposed to COVID-19 ruling
The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal from three British Columbia churches that argued their constitutional rights were violated when provincial restrictions banned indoor religious services at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The case stems from orders issued by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry during the second wave of the pandemic more than two years ago.

Highest court refuses to hear appeal from B.C. churches opposed to COVID-19 ruling

Man stabbed in hospital

Man stabbed in hospital
Police in New Westminster are looking for witnesses after a stabbing sent a man to hospital. They say it happened on August 2nd at around noon when police received a call about a stabbing on the street in the city's downtown area.

Man stabbed in hospital

BC temps to hit 30s this weekend

BC temps to hit 30s this weekend
British Columbia's government is warning that temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s starting this weekend. But Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says a repeat of the 2021 heat dome that killed more than 615 people is not forecast.

BC temps to hit 30s this weekend

Audit finds 800 items missing from Canadian history museum, no plan to deal with it

Audit finds 800 items missing from Canadian history museum, no plan to deal with it
The auditor's team was particularly concerned that there was no robust way of managing the inventory. The audit found the corporation did such a poor job keeping tabs on those objects that more than 800 were declared missing during inventory inspections between 2012 and 2022.  

Audit finds 800 items missing from Canadian history museum, no plan to deal with it

Fire engulfs Surrey housing complex

Fire engulfs Surrey housing complex
At least 20 Surrey residents spent the night out of their homes -- and some could be out for much longer -- after flames tore through a housing complex in that city's Clayton neighbourhood. Surrey Fire Service deputy chief Shelley Morris says four homes have been destroyed and as many as four more are damaged after flames from a garage fire spread quickly.

Fire engulfs Surrey housing complex