All schools in the Cowichan Valley were closed Monday due to the adverse and icy winter weather and winter-driving conditions throughout the area.
Since the snow started to fall in the early evening on Sunday until Monday morning, there had also been eight motor vehicle accidents reported to the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment.
Most of them have been minor in nature, but a couple have resulted in more serious collisions.
According to a police report, on Monday morning just before 8 a.m., there was a vehicle that struck a power box on the side of the road at the intersection of the Trans Canada Highway and Mt. Sicker Road.
“This resulted in all power being lost to the traffic control lights at this intersection on the highway,” the report said.
“A few hours later near the intersection of the TCH and Koksilah Road, a vehicle lost control and drove into the ditch landing upside down. Thankfully with all the accidents, no injuries have been reported.”
At least one vehicle slid off Highway 18 on Friday morning in the snow.
The RCMP want to remind everyone to slow down and give more space between themselves and other drivers.
“All drivers should be driving appropriately for the current weather conditions,” the report concluded
The snow started in many places in the Valley, including Lake Cowichan, on Friday, and the amount received as of Monday morning depended on altitude and how far away each location is from the ocean.
Bobby Sekhon, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the Arctic air that arrived over the region on Sunday is expected to continue until the end of the week when it will give way to more average temperatures for this time of year.
Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for eastern Vancouver Island, including the Cowichan Valley, on Tuesday.
A low pressure centre is expected to approach Vancouver Island Tuesday evening bringing snow that will intensify during the night.
Snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm. are expected over much of the Cowichan Valley by Wednesday morning.
The snow will ease on Wednesday morning.
“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” the weather statement said.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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