Vancouver Island snowfall shutters schools, knocks out power and hampers transit

Traffic and transit were snarled, thousands of people were without power and several school districts declared a snow day as a winter storm rolled across Vancouver Island on Wednesday.

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for much of the Island shortly after midnight with the exception of the north and west coasts. That warning is expected to remain in place throughout the day.

Greater Victoria, as well as the inland and eastern Island regions, are all forecast to receive up to 10 centimetres of snow before Wednesday afternoon. 

The federal weather agency is reminding Island motorists to proceed with caution as visibility could be suddenly reduced at times with heavy snow.

Drivers are also being warned to stay out of the way of snow plows and to never pass a plow on the right.

For up-to-date road conditions on Vancouver Island, visit DriveBC's X account for the region. 

WATCH | Snowfall blankets regions across Vancouver Island

Snow dump brings wintry scenes, road challenges to Vancouver Island

11 months ago

Duration 1:20

Residents prepared for the snowfall that blanketed parts of Vancouver Island, from Nanaimo to Victoria, on Wednesday — and many faced some of the challenges that came with it. According to Environment Canada, up to 10 centimetres of snow is forecast for the Island before the afternoon.

Transit troubles

B.C. Transit says it's expecting detours, delays and cancellations on several routes in the Capital Regional District.

All service in the Cowichan Valley has been suspended due to snowy conditions, including the 66 and 99 commuter lines to Greater Victoria.

B.C. Transit says it is prioritizing HandyDART service in Greater Victoria for passengers attending medical appointments and needing access to essential services and drivers will determine the best routes to take based on local conditions and rider's needs.

"We appreciate everyone's patience this morning," said B.C. Transit spokesperson Jamie Weiss, speaking to CBC's On The Island.

In the Regional District of Nanaimo, all transit services were suspended shortly before 10 a.m. due to weather conditions. Updates and information on services for Nanaimo riders are available here.

On the Sunshine Coast, HandyDART services have been cancelled until further notice in Powell River and service on numerous routes has been reduced or suspended. Information for Sunshine Coast passengers can be found here.

B.C. Ferries has announced two cancellations on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver, saying on social media that road conditions have made the company unable to secure the required crew numbers to sail. The affected sailings are the 8:15 p.m. from Tsawwassen and the 10:45 p.m. from Duke Point. 

Current conditions can be viewed on the company's website and X account.

Hydro woes

Meanwhile, thousands of Island residents were without power Wednesday morning.

B.C. Hydro crews began the day with more than 12,000 customers affected in both the north and south Island region, including on multiple Southern Gulf Islands.

By the afternoon, that number had been cut by more than half, with power restored to customers in the mid and north island areas. 

As of 1:30 p.m., there were 21 outages on southern Vancouver Island impacting 5, 817 customers.

B.C. Hydro is providing updates on its X account. 

Outages can be reported by calling 1-800-224-9376. Anyone who spots a fallen power line is asked to call 911 and keep their distance.

Snow day for students

As of 9 a.m., eight of the island's 12 school districts had declared snow days, including Saanich, the Gulf Islands, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach and Cowichan.

Mike Russell, spokesperson for the Cowichan Valley School District, said the district's operations team checked the area's roads and schools early Wednesday and there was already as much as 15 centimetres of snow.

"We are seeing pretty slick roads underneath that, as well, so there are concerns certainly for our students and staff getting to those schools," said Russell.

Road conditions are a concern for school bus drivers and Russell said the operations team will be out again Thursday morning and could opt for a second day of closures if the situation warrants it.

In places where schools remain open, some buses have been cancelled due to the weather. Parents are advised to check with their local school and school board for details.