Updated 1:00PM – Snow moving up Island this morning. Monitor radar and Drive BC

Updated 1PM – East Vancouver Island Snowfall Warning Issued.

We’re tougher in Port Alberni, we don’t get a snowfall warning for “only” 5-10cm. 😉

12:27 PM PST Tuesday 05 January 2016
Snowfall warning in effect for:

  • East Vancouver Island

Snowfall, with total amounts of 5 to 10 cm is expected.

Snow will continue over East Vancouver Island today, with total amounts of 5 to 10 cm expected through tonight. Snow may become mixed with or changing to rain over southern sections this evening, while locations north of Comox may see snow continuing into overnight.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.

 

Updated 12:35PM SNOOOOWWWW

The snow should end before 6PM this evening.

Updated 10:51AM

 

Updated 9:10AM – Risk of Freezing Rain.

The first wave seemed to peter out once it got to around Woodgrove.  However, that was just the beginnings.  The strongest precipitation is still predicted for late morning and early afternoon.  It is now snowing lightly at VIU again.

Other forecasters/bloggers have indicated that the air aloft is warming so with our Valley still very cold at -3ºC there is a chance for a mix of both snow and freezing rain. It may change to rain later, but could hang on as snow as well.  

Accumulations are still expected to be 2-4cm today and 5cm this evening.

Drive Safely out there.

 

 

 

7:15AM Update Snow steadily moving up Island.

Even in the time it took to write this post the situation on thhe drivebc cameras has changed.  Here is te radar and Nanaimo Airport and VIU campus webcams at 7AM compare them to the ones further down the post.

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I just stepped off the bus at Woodgrove and it is just starting to snow here too.

Snow is to begin later than expected this morning in Port Alberni and accumulate more in the afternoon as long as the temperature stays down.

We are currently -3.3°C in Port Alberni but areas where it is currently snow just south of Nanaimo are at 0°C or higher so we will have to see once the sun rises and the flow of moisture reaches us how much the temperatures moderate.

Here is the radar and the VIU/Hwy19 and Nanaimo Airport/Hwy1 highway webcams as of 6:46AM. Notice the snow hasn’t got to VIU yet.

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The forecast last night pushed back the precipitation from early to late morning and that seems to be coming to fruition now.  The forecast now has light precipitation starting before 10AM and then intensifying after lunchtime especially.

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How much falls as snow and sticks is the big question.  There will also be a chance of freezing rain so please drive with extreme caution.

The threat of rain/snow should end by 7PM tonight. We will get anoter short burst of either rain or snow Wednesday morning before 7AM.

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It is more likely that this will be rain than snow at this point however, if we do not warm up signifcantly tonight, it could fall as snow too.  It will be short lived though as it is supposed to clear out before 1PM Wednesday.

If the morning model runs have something signifcantly different I will update the forecast.  Otherwise, I’ll just be monitoring the actual conditions and will update if something of interest occurs or a safety issue arises. Use the links on the page to get to the latest webcams and radar images.

Stay safe out there and have fun.

 

 

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