British Columbia

Warnings from Environment Canada as heavy snow, freezing rain hit northern B.C.

A warning from Environment Canada says the Terrace area could see as much as 50 centimetres of snow in total, with a risk of freezing rain, followed by rain.

Up to 40 cm of snow expected by Monday morning in inland sections of North Coast, forecaster says

Mascots wearing animal costumes and a person wearing a Christmas sweater are seen on the back of a truck in a parade.
More than 3,000 people turned out for the first Santa Claus Parade in Prince George in more than a decade, organized by Spirit of the North, on Saturday. It came amid a snowfall warning for the region, which was eventually lifted. (Andrew Kurjata/CBC)

A winter storm has dumped heavy snow over parts of B.C.'s North Coast, with freezing rain in the forecast as temperatures start to rise.

A warning from Environment Canada says the Terrace area could see as much as 50 centimetres of snow in total, with a risk of freezing rain, followed by rain.

The weather office says the messy winter mix is expected to shift to rain overnight Sunday as the storm system pushes inland, drawing in warm Pacific air.

The bulletin says the rapidly accumulating snow followed by rain or freezing rain would make driving difficult due to poor visibility and slippery conditions.

Several cars are parked along a town road amid a snowy day.
Downtown Prince George, B.C., is seen on Dec. 1, 2024, amid a snow dump. (Hanna Petersen/CBC)

A snowfall warning also covered a large part of central B.C., including the Stewart-Nechako, Prince George and Quesnel areas, where accumulation of up to 15 centimetres of snow was expected by Sunday afternoon. The warning was lifted by midday. 

The weather office says there is a risk of freezing rain Monday in the region.