Highway conditions on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast are slushy this morning from the mix of rain and snow that fell last night.
Environment Canada had issued warnings Thursday calling for heavy snow to fall over most of the region, mixed with rain overnight, and freezing rain possible in the Nanaimo and Malahat areas.
Highway 19 has some slushy sections and is marked with winter driving conditions according to Drive BC. Reports of a fallen tree on Highway 19A 2 km south of Courtenay.
Comox Valley Schools announced that schools will be closed today (Jan 19) citing poor road and sidewalk conditions.
North Island College says that their Campbell River and Comox Valley campuses are closed today due to the weather conditions. All classes in-person and digital are cancelled.
BC Hydro reports multiple power outages this morning across the island and Sunshine Coast.
On the North Island crews are working to restore service to customers in Campbell River, Courtenay, Qualicum Beach and Port Hardy, roughly 7293 customers are affected.
The City of Courtenay announced that all recreation programs are cancelled, including ones that are scheduled to start at noon.
On Thursday, Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologists issued snowfall warnings for East Vancouver Island and inland areas, and a wind warning for Port Hardy and the North Island.
Accumulations of snow from 10 to 20 centimetres were expected.
Periods of snow were forecast for the Sunshine Coast, mixed with rain overnight.
Warmer temperatures and rain are forecast for all areas of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast today.
Meanwhile, Mt Washington is benefitting from the snowy conditions, and they got 1 cm last night with more in the forecast. The current snow base is 75 cm.
