Ongoing lower-than-normal temperatures and the chance of mixed rain and snow are in Greater Victoria’s weekend forecast, followed by another possibility of snow on Tuesday.
“It looks like rain will probably continue, but it’s a very cold rain,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Carmen Hartt. “It’s more showers, off and on.”
Low overnight temperature forecasts, such as 0 C today, could lead to slushy rain, Hartt said. “We’re staying in this cold pattern.”
Tuesday could see flurries, Hartt said. “Definitely, the temperatures are there for that.”
Hartt said the daytime high at this time of year is usually about 8 or 9 C. “We are about six degrees colder than normal for the month of February, so that’s been putting us in more of a mixed snow/rain regime.”
Weekend precipitation is expected to give way to a sunny Monday with a high of 3 C.
For B.C. Transit, the receding snow cover meant that all routes were running and just a single detour was in place. HandyDART was providing regular service as well.
The ongoing cold snap has meant that the Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol has been in effect since Feb. 3.
“Everybody’s tired,” said Jen Wilde, regional co-ordinator for the Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol. “We’re definitely starting to feel the wear and tear of being open and activated for this long.”
Wilde said there is an ongoing need for donations of winter jackets, mittens, tuques, scarves and socks. Donations can be made at Our Place (919 Pandora Ave.), Rock Bay Landing (535 Ellice St.) and the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (525 Johnson St.).
The protocol comes into effect to provide additional shelter for people in need during periods of harsh weather conditions.
In recent nights, the number of people using Extreme Weather Protocol shelters and other shelter space has been about 400.
