Wicked winter snowstorm blankets B.C.: 'Just stay off the roads'

Christine Jean-Baptiste
·Contributing Reporter
·3 min read

A massive overnight snowstorm hit most of British Columbia, as heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and arctic winds covered the province.

Through Tuesday afternoon, 10 to 15 centimetres were expected, with the southern half of Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands expecting 20 centimetres, according to forecast. Well, some areas received twice that amount, with many waking up to an unexpected winter wonderland.

Here are some photos and videos from the scenes in B.C.

Most of the Island remains covered in snow, causing suspended transit services, school closures, and power loss. Vancouver International Airport temporarily suspended all incoming and outgoing flights early Tuesday, leaving many passengers stranded.

A statement from YVR said it was dealing with the "mass cancellations," working to "deplane passengers safely and deliver luggage to them in the terminal."

"Passengers who are expecting to fly today and this week are advised to check with their airline directly on the status of their flight. We are asking people to please not come to YVR if you do not absolutely need to," airport spokeswoman Megan Sutton said in an email.

Those commuting during the snowstorm also experienced cancellations and delays.

Many sat on the Skytrain as snow penetrated through the closing doors.

The snow is not over yet. Before Wednesday morning, Environment Canada says an additional five to 10 centimetres will cover areas between Victoria and Qualicum Beach.

VANCOUVER, Dec. 19, 2022 Heavy snow falls as a pedestrian crosses a street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Dec. 18, 2022. (Credit Image: å© Liang Sen/Xinhua via ZUMA Press)
VANCOUVER, Dec. 19, 2022 Heavy snow falls as a pedestrian crosses a street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Dec. 18, 2022. (Credit Image: å© Liang Sen/Xinhua via ZUMA Press)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - DECEMBER 20: Snow blankets metro Vancouver amid a snowfall warning on December 20, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - DECEMBER 20: Snow blankets metro Vancouver amid a snowfall warning on December 20, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)

The heavy snowfall on Vancouver Island also stranded Premier David Eby at home.

He said his eight-year-old son's holiday day camp was cancelled for the day and his three-year-old daughter's child care was closed due to the snowfall.

"We're all together here at home," Eby said. "Both parents working remotely as in a flashback to pandemic days and whenever we get a window we're going to fire those kids out into the snow, and in the meantime Netflix is our friend."

With files from the Canadian Press.