Environment Canada has issued weather alerts for eastern and inland Vancouver Island, warning of the potential for snow on Thursday night.
On the eastern Island, the alert is in effect for Duncan to Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay and Courtenay to Campbell River. Snow accumulations could exceed five centimetres but rain is expected to take over Friday morning.
The inland area of the Island could also see five centimetres or more snow in higher elevations. Rain is expected to start there on Friday morning, as well.
A chance of snow remains next week as temperatures are expected to dip below seasonal norms.
Meanwhile, the southern Interior and southeastern mountain passes received up to 30 centimetres in less than a day. More than two metres of snow have fallen in those areas since mid-December.
The Transportation Ministry said the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt was to be closed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for avalanche control.
Drive B.C., the province’s online travel advisory site, said avalanche control was also planned or underway on sections of Highway 1 east and west of Revelstoke, the Kootenay Pass on Highway 3 and a portion of Highway 23 north of Revelstoke.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
