Avoid non-essential travel into Christmas weekend, B.C. urges

The B.C. government is urging you to reconsider any non-essential travel plans you may have over the coming days.

The warning comes ahead of yet another winter storm, which is expected to bring freezing, wet, and snowy conditions — with up to 30 centimetres in some parts — to the South Coast through the Christmas long weekend.

“The freezing rain is such a concern, in fact, that my ministry is strongly advising against any form of travel from tonight through Saturday,” Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said Thursday.

“We’re watching this freezing rain event very closely as it has the potential to have a very significant impact on road conditions all across the South Coast of B.C., including Vancouver Island.”

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He notes the Malahat — Highway 1 — and Highway 4 to Port Alberni are of particular concern on the Island.

On the mainland, Fleming says the western portions of the Coquihalla, Highway 3 — the Hope/Princeton — and Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon have been identified as areas of concern.

“Freezing rain can coat our highways in ice and our maintenance contractors are fitting many of their vehicles with ice blades to cut through any accumulation as ice is very tough to manage,” he explained.

“In the interest of safety, we may close highways if necessary with short notice.”

The big take away for BC drivers/travelers: Province warning people on the island and south coast against travel on the road from tonight through to Christmas eve.#bcpoli @CityNewsVAN #bcstorm

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) December 22, 2022

The Sea to Sky is also a highway that’s being closely watched, with Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon saying snow could hinder travel along that route.

“They could get a lot of snow. So anybody travelling between Whistler and Metro Vancouver, it could get quite challenging to get from one place to the other,” he said.

Freezing rain is expected to be the worst in the Fraser Valley and on parts of Vancouver Island.

“In the Fraser Valley, freezing rain could last up to 36 hours and may cause dangerous and slippery road conditions for drivers,” explained Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma.

“Environment Canada and Drive BC have issued weather alerts and travel advisories for many areas, and I strongly encourage everyone in these areas to travel only if necessary. I know many people have plans to travel to their friends and families, but these are very dangerous conditions and we want to make sure everyone is safe.”

Snow and freezing rain expected to be followed by substantial rain – @BowinnMa says preparations for floods are in the works including pre positioning sand bags and other flood barriers in areas where floods are likely.#bcpoli @CityNewsVAN #bcstorm

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) December 22, 2022

Fleming is echoing those concerns.

“I know people have plans for the holidays, they want to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones, but this is a significant weather event. Snow followed by freezing rain and then rain, and the rainfall that follows could be extremely heavy and as much as 80 millimetres, which could result in some localized flooding,” he said.

The volatile weather is set to begin Thursday night, with more frigid temperatures included. A warming trend will then make way to the most dangerous part of the forecast, according to Sekhon.

“Freezing rain is a phenomenon where you have snow that melts through the above freezing layer and then refreezes at the surface, creating very slippery conditions and can also add weight to structures causing damage to power lines as well,” Sekhon explained.

For anyone who needs to travel in the coming days, the province is urging you to be prepared.

That includes planning your route ahead, driving safely and to conditions, ensuring your vehicle has the appropriate tires, and making sure you have an emergency kit, including food, water, and warm clothes.