Vancouver Island sees 15 centimetres of snow

CBC Vancouver

4 Mar 202402:15

Summary

TLDRVancouver Island experienced a winter wonderland over the weekend, with snow blanketing the region. The Nanaimo area saw up to 5 cm of accumulation, surprising long-time residents who thought they had escaped the snow. While the snowfall posed challenges for transportation and caused power outages, it was a delight for skiers at Mount Washington. However, the fresh powder also increased avalanche risks in the backcountry, prompting search and rescue teams to remind adventurers about safety precautions. Motorists were advised to exercise caution on potentially icy roads and check driving conditions, as snow tires remain mandatory on major highways until April 30th.

Takeaways

⛄ Vancouver Island experienced significant snowfall over the weekend, with some areas receiving up to 5 cm of accumulation.
🌨️ The recent snowfall has increased the avalanche risk in the backcountry areas of Vancouver Island, prompting warnings from authorities.
🚌 Several school bus routes in the Campbell River region were canceled on Sunday due to the snowy conditions.
⚡ Bowen Island experienced power outages amid the winter weather.
⛷️ The fresh snowfall was welcomed by skiers at Mount Washington, where 11 cm of snow fell in 48 hours.
🚗 Motorists are advised to exercise caution on the roads, as black ice may have formed due to the wet snow followed by dropping temperatures.
🌡️ Despite the recent snowfall, the weather in March on Vancouver Island can be unpredictable, with some residents recalling instances of wearing short sleeves during this month in previous years.
⚠️ Authorities are reminding drivers to check the latest driving conditions on Drive BC and consider adjusting their travel plans or avoiding non-essential travel if icy conditions persist.
🗓️ Snow tires are still required on many major BC highways until April 30th.
🔮 Vancouver Island Violet, a local weather prognosticator, has accurately predicted six more weeks of winter for two consecutive years, with the recent snowfall seemingly confirming her forecast.

Q & A

Who is Vancouver Island Violet and what does she do?
-Vancouver Island Violet is a local forecaster who has been providing weather predictions since 2022. The transcript mentions that she has correctly predicted six more weeks of winter weather for two consecutive years.
What was the recent snowfall situation on Vancouver Island?
-According to the transcript, snow fell across Vancouver Island over the weekend. The Nanaimo area saw up to 5 cm of accumulation on Sunday night.
How did the residents of Nanaimo react to the snowfall?
-One resident mentioned that they moved to Nanaimo from the interior of British Columbia to get away from the snow, but were surprised to see snowfall in early March after living there for 35 years. The resident noted that March weather in Nanaimo can vary, with some days being warm enough for short sleeves and others allowing for building snowmen.
What challenges did the recent snowfall present for transportation?
-The transcript mentions that the wet snow followed by dropping temperatures overnight created ideal conditions for black ice formation, making driving conditions challenging. Some bus routes in the Campbell River region were canceled on Sunday due to the snow.
How did the snowfall impact postal services and power supply?
-Canada Post service was disrupted in Bowen Island, and the island also experienced a power outage due to the snowfall.
How did the snowfall benefit ski resorts?
-Mount Washington, a ski resort, received 11 cm of fresh snow over a 48-hour period, providing a welcome break for skiers.
What was the impact of the snowfall on avalanche risk in the backcountry?
-According to the Comox Valley Search and Rescue, the recent snowfall increased the avalanche risk in the backcountry, with accumulations ranging from 50 to 100 cm in the Alberni Valley backcountry over the past few days.
What advice was given regarding backcountry safety during this period?
-The Search and Rescue team emphasized the importance of following good habits and going back to basics when venturing into the backcountry during this time of increased avalanche risk.
What recommendations were made for drivers during the snowy conditions?
-Drivers were advised to check the latest driving conditions on DriveBC and adjust their schedules or avoid travel if icy conditions were present. The transcript also reminded drivers that snow tires are still required on many major BC highways until April 30th.
Who provided the information in the transcript?
-The information in the transcript was provided by Clare Palmer of CBC News in Nanaimo.

Outlines

00:00

⛄️ Winter Weather on Vancouver Island

The video script discusses the recent snowfall on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It mentions that Vancouver Island Violet, a local marmot, accurately predicted six more weeks of winter weather. Specific details are provided about the accumulation in various areas, such as the Nimo area receiving up to 5 cm of snow. Residents share their experiences with the unexpected snow in early March after moving to Vancouver Island to avoid such weather. The script also highlights the challenges faced by road maintenance crews due to the wet snow turning to black ice overnight, leading to cancellations of bus routes and Canada Post services in some regions. However, the snowfall was welcomed by skiers at Mount Washington, which received 11 cm over 48 hours. The Comox Valley Search and Rescue team warns about increased avalanche risk in the backcountry due to the recent snowfall. The summary emphasizes the importance of checking road conditions, using proper winter tires, and adjusting travel plans accordingly.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Predictions

Predictions refer to forecasts or statements about future events or conditions. In the context of the video, it mentions that Vancouver Island Violet has been providing predictions about winter weather since 2022, and so far, her predictions for six more weeks of winter seem to be accurate, as evidenced by the recent snowfall across Vancouver Island.

💡Accumulation

Accumulation refers to the buildup or collection of something over time. In the video, it is used to describe the amount of snowfall that occurred in the Nanaimo area, which saw upwards of 5 cm (centimeters) of snow accumulation on Sunday night. This term highlights the significant amount of snowfall that occurred in a specific region.

💡Maintenance

Maintenance refers to the process of preserving or keeping something in good condition. In the video, the term is used in the context of road maintenance, where the organization Main Roads maintains highways in the region. This maintenance involves ensuring that the roads are clear and safe for travel during inclement weather conditions, such as the recent snowfall.

💡Black ice

Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms on surfaces, such as roads or sidewalks, making it difficult to detect and potentially hazardous for drivers or pedestrians. In the video, the operations manager at Main Roads warns about the risk of black ice forming due to the wet snow and dropping temperatures overnight, underscoring the importance of exercising caution while traveling.

💡Avalanche risk

Avalanche risk refers to the potential danger of an avalanche occurring in a particular area. The video mentions that the recent snowfall has increased the avalanche risk in the backcountry regions around the Comox Valley. This highlights the importance of exercising caution and following proper safety measures when engaging in outdoor activities in areas prone to avalanches.

💡Safety measures

Safety measures are actions or precautions taken to ensure the protection and well-being of individuals or groups. In the context of the video, safety measures are emphasized for those venturing into the backcountry during winter conditions. The video stresses the importance of following good habits and returning to basic safety practices to mitigate the increased avalanche risk due to the recent snowfall.

💡Driving conditions

Driving conditions refer to the state or circumstances of the roads and the environment in which driving takes place. The video advises people to check the latest driving conditions through resources like DriveBC before embarking on any journeys. This is particularly important during inclement weather, such as the recent snowfall, as driving conditions can become hazardous due to factors like ice or reduced visibility.

💡Snow tires

Snow tires, also known as winter tires, are specially designed tires that provide better traction and handling on snowy or icy road surfaces. The video reminds viewers that snow tires are still required on many major highways in British Columbia until April 30th, highlighting the importance of having appropriate tires for safe winter driving.

💡Backcountry

The backcountry refers to remote or undeveloped areas, typically located away from urban centers or well-traveled routes. In the context of the video, the backcountry is mentioned in relation to the increased avalanche risk due to the recent snowfall. This term is used to describe the areas where outdoor enthusiasts may engage in activities such as skiing or hiking, which require extra precautions and safety measures during winter conditions.

💡Inconvenience

Inconvenience refers to a situation or circumstance that causes discomfort, difficulty, or disruption to one's routine or plans. In the video, it is acknowledged that while the snowfall caused inconveniences, such as canceled bus routes and power outages on Bowen Island, it also provided a welcome break for skiers at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, where 11 cm of fresh snow fell in 48 hours.

Highlights

Vancouver Island Violet has been providing accurate predictions for six more weeks of winter since 2022.

The Nanaimo area saw upwards of 5 cm of snow accumulation over the weekend.

Residents have experienced both mild and snowy weather in March over the past 35 years.

Main roads and highways were challenging due to wet snow turning into black ice overnight.

Several bus routes in the Campbell River region were canceled on Sunday due to snow.

Canada Post service on Bowen Island was disrupted due to power outages.

Mount Washington ski resort received 11 cm of fresh snow in 48 hours.

The recent snowfall has increased avalanche risk in the Comox Valley's backcountry.

Search and rescue teams advise backcountry adventurers to follow safety measures and good habits.

Drivers are recommended to check DriveBC for the latest road conditions and adjust travel plans if necessary.

Snow tires are still required on many major BC highways until April 30th.

The weather on Vancouver Island varies greatly, with potential for both mild and snowy conditions in March.

Highway maintenance crews faced challenges due to the wet snow turning into black ice.

The recent snowfall has increased avalanche risk in the backcountry areas around the Comox Valley.

Backcountry adventurers are advised to practice good safety habits and be prepared for avalanche conditions.