Severe weather warnings have been issued throughout coastal B.C. as the region braces for a winter storm bringing snow and freezing rain overnight.
Environment Canada says that Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast, east and inland Vancouver Island and the North and Central Coast can all expect between five and 15 centimetres of snow mixed with freezing rain Thursday night and Friday morning.
A blizzard is forecast for the North Coast on Friday, with another 10 centimetres of snow falling throughout the day in coastal sections and winds gusting at up to 90 kilometres per hour.
Forecasters say that residents along most of the coast can expect a windchill exceeding minus 20 degrees, while northerners will need to bundle up for temperatures that feel as low as minus 35 to 40 degrees. North Vancouver Island is expected to experience winds blowing up to 90 kilometres an hour early Friday morning.
As the temperature rises on Friday, Environment Canada says the South Coast should anticipate another five to 15 centimetres of snow mixed with freezing rain, which will change to rain in the afternoon.
