Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Heavy snow, freezing rain to hit Sea-to-Sky region, Fraser Valley

The transportation ministry is warning drivers of poor driving conditions expected in parts of the Sea-to-Sky region and the Fraser Valley.

Squamish, BC: JANUARY 06, 2017 -- Ice and packed snow made for hazardous road conditions on the Sea-to-Sky highway Friday, January 6, 2017.
Squamish, BC: JANUARY 06, 2017 -- Ice and packed snow made for hazardous road conditions on the Sea-to-Sky highway Friday, January 6, 2017. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

The transportation ministry is warning drivers in B.C.’s South Coast to brace for another blast of winter weather.

Heavy snow, freezing rain, and strong winds are expected to sweep through the Sea-to-Sky region and the Fraser Valley Friday night and overnight into Saturday, resulting in poor driving conditions on some roads and highways.

Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

The Sea-to-Sky corridor is expected to bear the brunt of this storm, with up to 25 centimetres of snow expected on the highway in the next 24 hours, said the ministry in an advisory issued late Friday.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for heavy snow on the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler and in the Whistler region.

The snow is expected to begin Friday evening and continue into Saturday, with total snowfall accumulations of 15 cm for Whistler and up to 25 cm along the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The snow fall should ease off Saturday afternoon as the low pressure system weakens, said the weather agency.

The Fraser Valley is also expected to get a dump of up to 10 cm of snow at higher elevations, said the transportation ministry. Freezing rain is also a possibility.

In Metro Vancouver, heavy rain mixed with snow is forecast overnight, but the snow is not expected to accumulate in any significant amounts.

Environment Canada has not issued any special weather statements for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

A snowfall warning is also in effect for eastern Vancouver Island, from Courtenay to Campbell River, which is expected to get about 10 cm at higher elevations Friday night.

Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon Highway was closed at 8 p.m. Friday night due to a high risk of avalanche in the Jackass Mountain Area.

In a statement, the ministry said “highway maintenance crews are out in full force prepping roads and preparing to manage snow.”

It urged drivers to be well-prepared before they set off on the road and be aware that highways may close with little or no noticed due to changing road conditions.