Winter storm watch issued for B.C.'s North Coast, snowfall warnings still in place for Interior

A winter storm is moving over British Columbia's coast, bringing strong winds, heavy snow and freezing rain, while snowfall warnings remain in place for much of the province's Interior.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm watch for the North Coast, saying a low-pressure system will approach the region as a ridge of high pressure builds over the province's Interior.

It says the storm is expected to start tonight and persist until Sunday.

More heavy snow is expected in the inland sections of the North Coast — including Stewart, which has already received 40-55 centimetres of snow this week — with up to 40 centimetres more expected between Saturday night and Monday.

According to CBC News climate and science specialist Darius Mahdavi, the low-pressure system that brought a "bomb cyclone" to B.C. earlier this month is still feeding a significant amount of moisture into the region.

"We are looking at snow up and down the northwest," he said while presenting a weather report on Thursday.

Environment Canada says the snow will transition to freezing rain on Monday and then heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday that could cause flooding.

Along the Central Coast, the agency has issued a rainfall warning, with more than 150 millimetres of rain expected before Saturday night.

Meanwhile, snowfall warnings — many of which were issued earlier this week — continue to cover much of B.C.'s Interior, with Environment Canada saying these will ease today as the weather system moves east.

But, it says "another round of heavy snow" is expected Saturday, with up to 25 centimetres expected.

Mahdavi said the region around Prince George could receive almost half a metre of snow in some places. 

"That is definitely a significant kick-off to winter," he said. 

A warming spell is expected to begin on Monday for much of B.C., Environment Canada said.