After spending most of the week facing snow flurries and cold winds, Greater Victoria will be slammed with another snowstorm tomorrow, say weather watchers.
“On Friday the big storm is coming. It will begin as snow and finish as rain washing away all the snow over the weekend,” said Matt MacDonald, an Environment Canada meteorologist.
“We are not sure how much snow will fall before it will change over to rain,” added meteorologist David Jones. “People should be prepared for a major storm on Friday.”
At least 20 centimetres of snow has dumped on the West Shore in the past week. Langford weather stations measured about 20 cm at town hall and closer to 30 cm on Bear Mountain.
On Wednesday, heavy snow snapped a tree across the Trans-Canada Highway near Goldstream Park, but was cleared up in about 15 minutes.
“We were surprised there were no reports of collisions overnight. A lot of people are staying off the roads and driving slowly,” said West Shore RCMP Cpl. Cory Bayda.
On Tuesday, heavy snow collapsed tree branches into power lines, leaving about 1,400 Metchosin residents without power for most of the day. The Metchosin Community House has opened it doors to residents in need and hot drinks and food.
“We’ll be open as long as there is snow,” said Barrett Fullerton, with the Metchosin Community Association.
The Metchosin Volunteer Fire Department was kept busy on Tuesday helping BC Hydro with fallen trees and damaged power lines.
“The trees are little, but with the heavy snow they fall down or get very low,” said fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop. “Don’t go near down power lines, even if the power is out.”
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