Some B.C. schools cancel in-person learning as snow batters South Coast, Vancouver Island

Some post-secondary schools in B.C. have moved to online learning Tuesday as snow continues to batter the Lower Mainland and parts of Vancouver Island.

Environment Canada has forecast Metro Vancouver will be hit with two to four centimetres of snow, which is expected to taper off in the afternoon. Meanwhile, parts of Vancouver Island, which began digging out from under the snow Monday, will get more snow today. East Vancouver Island from Duncan to Nanaimo is forecasted to get five centimetres of snow for a storm total of 20 to 25 centimetres.

The University of British Columbia cancelled in-person learning on its Vancouver campus. Classes also moved online for students at Capilano University's campuses in North Vancouver, Lonsdale and the Sunshine Coast. Its Squamish campus remains open.

All on-campus classes at Vancouver Community College have also been cancelled.

All elementary and secondary schools in North Vancouver and West Vancouver will also be closed Tuesday, according to North Vancouver School District superintendent Pius Ryan, who said other school districts were still assessing just before 6 a.m. PST.

On Vancouver Island, the University of Victoria, Camosun College, and Vancouver Island University campuses are all closed on Tuesday.

The Greater Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Gulf Islands and Saanich school districts have also confirmed all their schools are closed for the day. Further north on Vancouver Island, schools in the Campbell River, Qualicum, and Comox Valley districts are also closed.

WATCH | Nanaimo, B.C., gets about 15 centimetres of snow Monday:

Vancouver Island digs out from under winter snow

1 day ago

Duration 1:51

Winter has finally arrived on Vancouver Island. As Claire Palmer reports, Nanaimo saw upwards of 15 centimetres of snow on Monday, with more to come as crews work to keep the streets clear. The City of Nanaimo's David Thompson says if you don’t have to go out, it’s best to stay home.

Lingering conditions

Alyssa Charbonneau, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said it's unclear when the South Coast will see the snow melt, as below-average temperatures are expected into next week.

"The snow that has fallen is likely to linger. We can see icy conditions, and it's definitely going to feel much more like winter than we've had so far," said Charbonneau, adding that daytime temperatures could lead to thawing that refreezes overnight.

She said the weather pattern on the South Coast makes it difficult to forecast snowfall because it's localized rather than widespread across the region. Certain areas could get localized flurries into Wednesday with some snowflakes sticking, but nothing widespread, according to Charbonneau.

Multiple highway collisions

There have been multiple collisions in both directions on Highway 1 near the Port Mann Bridge that are causing "extreme traffic delays," according to B.C. Highway Patrol. Commuters are being asked to reconsider driving until the roads are clear.

"If you're a confident driver who is prepared for the snow, you need to slow down more than usual," Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with B.C. Highway Patrol said in a statement. "If you're not a confident driver, or your car isn't winter-ready, stay off the roads entirely. This isn't your day."

WATCH | What you need to know before you get behind the wheel on snowy roads: 

How to stay safe on the road in wintry weather

18 hours ago

Duration 2:29

That beautiful blanket of snow some British Columbians woke up to could create challenges on the roads — especially for residents who aren't used to winter driving. BCAA's road safety and winter driving expert Josh Smythe shares insights on staying safe on the roads in wintry conditions.

DriveBC reported multiple spun-out vehicles westbound between Mountain Highway and Lynn Valley Road in North Vancouver.

Many bus routes are also experiencing delays due to road conditions, according to TransLink.

Extreme weather shelters open

In the City of Vancouver, extreme weather shelters and warming centres have been opened, with additional space available for unhoused people. Eight locations in the city are providing extra extreme weather shelter space, with eight more sites serving as warming centres.

The shelters are set to remain open until at least Thursday.

Extreme weather shelter spaces are available elsewhere in the province, with a list of facilities available on the B.C. Housing website.

Arctic outflow, extreme cold warnings

Environment Canada has issued several snowfall, arctic outflow and extreme cold warnings across the province.

Arctic outflow warnings are issued when bitterly cold air flows from the interior to coastal communities, and the outflow winds create wind chill values of –20 C or less for six hours or more, according to the federal weather agency.

It said an Arctic air mass combined with very strong outflow winds is giving low wind chill values near –20 C in the eastern Fraser Valley, including Hope. The cold temperatures are expected to last until Wednesday morning. 

Environment Canada is warning people to wear hats, scarves and gloves when outdoors, as frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken.

WATCH | Whose responsibility is clearing snow and ice off the sidewalk? 

Can you sue someone over a slippery sidewalk?

1 day ago

Duration 2:01

CBC's Jason Proctor explains what happens if somebody slips and falls on the sidewalk outside your home.

B.C.'s North and Central coasts, including inland regions, could see wind chill values as low as –25 C, according to Environment Canada.

The mainland inlets could get northeasterly winds gusting up to 120 km/h, before reducing to 60 to 90 km/h by Wednesday morning.