Though some areas got snow last week, the first widespread winter weather arrived in the Comox Valley overnight, though most services are running, at least for now.
Light snow was falling on Wednesday morning, as shopkeepers were out on 5th Street in Courtenay shoveling or sweeping snow off of sidewalks.
School District 71 announced on social media that all public schools were open today, though the district is cancelling all school district meetings and user group activities scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 15. This affects the boundary review consultation at Royston Elementary at 6:30 p.m. The session is rescheduled for January 29 at 6:30 p.m.
The district also reminds families that no announcements are an indication that it is business as usual. Emergency school closure procedures are on the explained in detail on the district website at www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/emergencyschoolclosure/
People can also refer to the school district website, social media channels or local radio stations for announcements on school closures and bus cancellations.
North Island College announced at 12:30 p.m. all NIC campuses will be closed as of 2:30 p.m. due to inclement weather. A decision will be made on opening tomorrow, Jan. 16 in the morning.
Highway contractor Mainroad North Island said its crews are conducting snow removal across the service area today, and recommends drivers travel slowly and stay up to date about road conditions through DriveBC.
Most services in the area were operating, with garbage being the most affected. The Village of Cumberland announced it was cancelling regular collection for Wednesday and recommend people bring material back to the curb for 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. Depending on road conditions, if three subsequent days are missed due to weather, people should bring out garbage for the next regular collection day.
The City of Courtenay reports recreation programs are running. However, its garbage and yard waste collection is being cancelled for the rest of the day. Today’s pickup will be postponed until next Wednesday.
The Town of Comox is also reporting pickups have been cancelled, with today’s collection delayed until next Wednesday. Recycling though is still set for Saturday.
BC Transit reports all routes are running in the Comox Valley, though some buses might be delayed. Riders can track their bus or find further updates on BC Transit’s Comox Valley page by going to Schedules and Maps, then finding the Customer Advisories link in the top left.
At the Comox Valley Airport, most flights were running, though a few flights were delayed or cancelled, mostly due to inclement weather in places like Vancouver or other locations in Western Canada.
BC Ferries is cancelling the 7:10 and 8:45 p.m. sailings between Comox and Powell River because of high winds.
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As far as what the weather holds in store, Environment Canada reported at 10:35 a.m. that the temperature was -5 with light snow falling. It is predicting 10 centimetres. Wind could increase from 30-50 km/h up to 70 km/h tonight. The high is supposed to get up to -2 while the low tonight will be -4 with snow that will be heavy at times, or rain. Inland, the snow should continue, with predictions of 15 to 25 cm. Temperatures are to return to the plus side tomorrow with a chance of showers.
mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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