Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

Canadian man in Gaza says Ottawa has asked him to be prepared to leave with family

Canadian man in Gaza says Ottawa has asked him to be prepared to leave with family
A Canadian man trying to get out of Gaza with his family says Global Affairs Canada has asked him to gather his documents and be prepared to leave at any moment through the enclave's border crossing with Egypt. An apparent agreement on Wednesday allowed hundreds of foreign passport holders and dozens of wounded Palestinians to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing for the first time since the war began. 

Canadian man in Gaza says Ottawa has asked him to be prepared to leave with family

Cocaine use continues to show signs of increase across Canada

Cocaine use continues to show signs of increase across Canada
Statistics Canada said that cocaine use is continuing to show signs of increase in the country based on new data of wastewater monitoring. In most Canadian municipalities, cocaine levels increased from January to May 2022 compared with the same period in 2020, the national statistical institute said.

Cocaine use continues to show signs of increase across Canada

Local state of emergency in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., as two water pumps fail

Local state of emergency in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., as two water pumps fail
A state of local emergency has been declared in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, east of Vancouver, as two of three pumps at the community's water treatment plant have failed. A statement from Mayor Ed Wood says the availability of water for drinking and firefighting could be at risk.

Local state of emergency in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., as two water pumps fail

Indian-origin physiotherapist charged in connection with sexual assault in Canada

Indian-origin physiotherapist charged in connection with sexual assault in Canada
A 53-year-old Indian-origin physiotherapist has been arrested and charged in connection with sexually assaulting a victim at his clinic in Canada's Ontario province, police said. Iraj Daneshvar was arrested after police received information on October 23 that a victim was sexually assaulted during a physiotherapy visit at a clinic in the area of Yonge Street and Centre Street in Richmond Hill.

Indian-origin physiotherapist charged in connection with sexual assault in Canada

Educators 'heartened' as B.C. and Ontario mandate Holocaust education

Educators 'heartened' as B.C. and Ontario mandate Holocaust education
To combat rising antisemitism, both British Columbia and Ontario announced this week that they would introduce mandatory Holocaust education for high school students, teaching them of the murder of six million Jews and others during the Second World War by Nazi Germany.  Holocaust educators are applauding the move. 

Educators 'heartened' as B.C. and Ontario mandate Holocaust education

Minister promises changes to temporary visas, but no 'draconian actions'

Minister promises changes to temporary visas, but no 'draconian actions'
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he plans to recalibrate the number of people who come to Canada temporarily to make sure the program is sustainable, but details about what measures the government is considering remain unclear. Miller announced his intentions after he tabled the immigration targets for permanent residents Wednesday afternoon.

Minister promises changes to temporary visas, but no 'draconian actions'