British Columbia

Storm expected to bring up to 50 cm of snow to B.C.'s North Coast

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for British Columbia's North Coast, forecasting that a "prolonged snowstorm" will bring up to 50 centimetres of snow by Thursday night.

Snowfall warning also issued for B.C. Interior. Weather system expected to move out by Friday

A person wearing a jacket and holding an umbrella walks across a snow-covered road.
Environment Canada says about 15 centimetres of snow has already fallen on B.C.'s North Coast, with the region expected to receive more snow before Friday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for British Columbia's North Coast, forecasting that a "prolonged snowstorm" will bring up to 50 centimetres of snow by Thursday night.

It says about 15 centimetres have already fallen, and a low-pressure system will move over the region Wednesday morning, bringing about 10 centimetres more.

The weather office says another 25 centimetres of snow is expected between this evening and Thursday night as a low-pressure system moves over the Gulf of Alaska.

It has also issued a snowfall warning for the northern and central Interior region of B.C., saying 15 centimetres of snow is expected. 

A row of cars and pickup trucks drive down a snowy highway, with an overhead electronic sign reading '#93 #95 A #3 Winter Driving Conditions' in amber letters.
Environment Canada is warning drivers that visibility may be reduced and road conditions will vary. (Corey Bullock/CBC)

The bulletin says periods of light snow will start Wednesday before transitioning into consistent snowfall Wednesday night. Snowfall may be heavy at times on Thursday, it said.

The weather office says the system will move out of the region by noon Friday.

It is warning drivers in those regions that visibility may be reduced and road conditions will vary during the heavy snowfall.

The warning comes about a week after a bomb cyclone moved across B.C., bringing winds up to 170 km/h and cutting power to more than 300,000 BC Hydro customers.