B.C. storm raises avalanche risk, cancels ferries, causes blackouts on south coast

Heavy snow, rain, and wind over the southern coastal region of B.C. have raised the avalanche risk to extreme, high, or considerable in many areas, Avalanche Canada warned in a Thursday post on X (formerly Twitter).

“A stormy Christmas Day means dangerous avalanche conditions will continue,” the organization said. “Boxing Day will be a time to enjoy non-avalanche terrain in these regions.”

New snow on the North Shore has pushed the avalanche rating to extreme at the alpine levels. This includes the popular ski hills on Seymour, Grouse, and Cypress mountains.

The danger also remains high at the treeline level, according to Avalanche Canada’s website.

“Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day,” the website warned. “We expect that widespread, large, natural, and human-triggered avalanches will be very likely throughout the storm.”

Avalanche Canada also said new snow and extreme winds on Vancouver Island are expected to build reactive storm slabs.

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Wind and stormy weather prompted BC Ferries to cancel several Thursday morning sailings on the Tsawwassen-Duke Point and Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay routes. Afternoon sailings were running on schedule as the wind died down.

Heavy weather also knocked out power for thousands of people. As of Thursday morning, just under 1,700 Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast customers were still without power. Another 300 customers on Vancouver Island were also without power.

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BC Ferries cancels multiple sailings due to weather warnings

Further inland, a snowfall warning has been issued for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt. A winter storm warning is also in place for Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

A Pacific frontal system impacting the interior could bring around 15 cm of snow to the Coquihalla on Thursday.

Highway 3 could see 20 to 30 cm of snow before the evening. Wind gusts of up to 50 km/h could produce blowing snow and reduced visibility on the roads.

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