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Island can expect ‘one-two punch’ of snowstorms

More snow will start falling Monday afternoon, schools closed from Comox to Victoria
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Roads were snowy in North Oyster near Nanaimo on Sunday. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

After a foot of snow in some areas of Vancouver Island Sunday, there’s more snow in the forecast for Monday afternoon, too.

Environment Canada released a weather statement Sunday night advising that another snowstorm is in the offing for B.C.’s south coast starting tomorrow afternoon.

“A one-two punch for the south coast of B.C., as another low pressure system is poised to move towards Vancouver Island on Monday and stall for 12 hours before dissipating,” the statement notes.

Snow is expected to begin in the afternoon on Monday, with 10-15 centimetres estimated to fall by midday on Tuesday.

Environment Canada updated its snowfall warning earlier this evening, advising that Sunday’s snowfall was expected to reach 10-25 centimetres.

Public schools in the Cowichan and Nanaimo-Ladysmith school districts announced Sunday night that school is cancelled Monday and the Saanich, Sooke, Victoria, Qualicum and Comox Valley districts were added to that list Monday morning.

Also in Cowichan, Queen of Angels School, Duncan Christian School, Queen Margaret’s School and Quw’utsun Smuneem school will be closed. And Pacific Christian school in Saanich is closed as well.

Vancouver Island University will also be closed with the exception of the Powell River campus.

The Campbell River school district has announced all schools are open. Also open is both campuses of Camosun College and all campuses of North Island College except in the Comox Valley.

The region’s highways contractor Mainroad Mid-Island advised that it is plowing and sanding main routes and will move to side roads when possible.

“Motorists should expect winter driving conditions with slushy and slippery sections as well as limited visibility due to ground fog and blowing snow,” the advisory notes.

Ferries from Salt Spring Island to Swartz Bay are currently cancelled as BC Ferries say staff is unable to access the Fulford Ferry terminal. The Chemainus/Thetis and Penelakut Island route has been delayed due to snow clearing. Other ferries to and from Swartz Bay, Departure Bay and Duke Point appear to be on schedule, as are arriving and departing flights out of Victoria International Airport. Nanaimo Airport is reporting one cancelled Air Canada flight to Vancouver at 7:20 this morning, but everything else running on schedule.

Almost all Victoria International Airport flights were cancelled, diverted or delayed Sunday as weather conditions worsened across South Vancouver Island.

Instrument landing systems require 200 feet of vertical visibility and a half mile of horizontal visibility.

At least 13 departing and 13 arriving flights were cancelled and a number of flights delayed until further notice.

Look for more updates as the day progresses.

RELATED: Nanaimo seeing a snowy Sunday

RELATED: More snow on the way for B.C.’s south coast



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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