Powerful blizzard in British Columbia leads to travel chaos and power outages

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

A powerful winter storm has unleashed havoc across British Columbia (B.C.), bringing forth a barrage of challenges, including ferry cancellations, widespread power outages, and an elevated risk of avalanches. This winter blizzard marked by wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h, surging waves, and heavy snowfall, has prompted a series of safety measures and warnings throughout the region.

In the southwestern part of B.C., specifically in west Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria, and the Southern Gulf Islands, wind warnings are in effect. Additionally, Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement concerning higher-than-usual ocean levels along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, impacting areas such as Sooke and Victoria. Similar conditions are anticipated near Boundary Bay in Metro Vancouver, heightening concerns about coastal flooding.

Meanwhile, the B.C. Interior faces the brunt of the winter storm, with a winter storm warning in place for the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3. These areas are expected to receive up to 30 centimeters of snow by Wednesday. Snowfall warnings, predicting accumulations of up to 10 centimeters, have been issued for the Cariboo, Prince George, Yellowhead, and Stuart-Nechako regions.

Commuters are strongly advised to monitor local travel conditions and, if possible, delay unnecessary trips. The severity of the weather has prompted road closures, including those affected by crashing waves along Vancouver Island. Coastal areas are grappling with ocean levels surpassing the highest astronomical tide, leading to closures of walking paths and roads due to hazardous conditions.

Power outages have added to the disruptions, impacting over 6,000 B.C. Hydro customers on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Earlier in the day, more than 16,000 customers were without power. The outages have forced the closure of three schools in the Sooke School District.

B.C. Ferries, a crucial mode of transportation in the region, has canceled sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, citing expected high winds and waves in the Salish Sea. Additional cancellations include the Duke Point-Nanaimo route.

Inland, heavy snowfall since Monday has made travel challenging, with warnings still in effect for much of the Interior. Avalanche Canada has issued a stern advisory, cautioning against travel in avalanche-prone areas, citing “very dangerous avalanche conditions” at higher elevations in southwestern B.C. and the southeast Rocky Mountains.

As B.C. grapples with the multifaceted impacts of this winter storm, residents and authorities alike are navigating a complex web of challenges to ensure safety and minimize the storm’s disruptive consequences.

« Back to Page

• British Columbia and Vancouver International Airport forge partnership to propel sustainable aviation and economic growth

• TAIN teams up with TIABC to revolutionize BC Tourism

• Winter havoc in British Columbia: waves, wind, and warnings

• Princess Cruises introduced 2 of its newest jewels yesterday

• Royal Caribbean International reveals 2025 Alaska summer explorations