'Slow down': Dump of snow, crashes on Sea to Sky highway prompt RCMP warning
Up 25 cm of snow expected in Interior, while central and north coasts are in line for 90 km/h winds
A hefty dump of snow that started early Monday along B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway has led to multiple serious crashes throughout the morning, luckily with no serious injuries, according to Squamish RCMP.
The first crash happened around 10 a.m. about 15 minutes south of Whistler, said Sgt. Sascha Banks. The second one happened about an hour later near Brohm Lake. The third, just north of Whistler on the way to Pemberton.
Fortunately no one was seriously hurt, said Banks. But she said drivers should be prepared for extremely slippery conditions.
"Slow down and drive for winter conditions. Just be aware, especially going around turns, that with the snow building up, and the sleet, and the freezing conditions, to expect slippery conditions," said Banks.
Snow is also on the way for parts of B.C.'s central Interior, while winds reaching 90 km/h are expected for the province's central and north coast, Environment Canada says.
Inland areas of the north coast will see the heaviest snow beginning Monday morning — with the area around Stewart in line for up to 25 centimetres by early Tuesday — while freezing rain is also expected in Kitimat and toward the Terrace area.
Environment Canada is warning of hazardous driving conditions in those areas.
The Nelson police department issued a statement asking people to avoid travel on highways and local roads altogether.
"Weather conditions have made roads extremely icy and police are responding to numerous injury and non-injury accidents both in and outside the city," the statement read in part.
Up to 20 centimetres of snowfall is also expected for the central Interior, including Prince George, beginning Monday morning and ending Tuesday morning.
The warm front and associated low-pressure system bringing the snow is also set to batter the coast and Haida Gwaii with strong winds starting Monday evening, Environment Canada says.
"Winds will rise this evening as the warm front nears and then reach 90 km/h late this evening ahead of the low pressure centre," said a statement from Environment Canada.
The winds are expected to ease overnight.