Traffic through much of Nanaimo on Monday morning was slow, but otherwise unhampered due to snow starting around 5 a.m. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

multiple waves

Snowfall warning in effect for Nanaimo & Parksville ahead of ‘sea-effect snow’

Feb 3, 2025 | 9:07 AM

NANAIMO — Environment Canada upgraded its original snowfall projections across eastern Vancouver Island.

A snowfall warning was issued early Monday, Feb. 3, as flurries began to fly in Nanaimo and Oceanside, with the weather office advising of upwards of 20 centimetres of snow coming in multiple waves.

“Two rounds of heavy snow are expected for Vancouver Island under the influence of a cold low and arctic outflow winds,” the warning reads. “The first will occur from [Monday] morning to late [Monday] afternoon as northwest winds and southeast winds collide over the Strait of Georgia.”

Snow is expected to subside somewhat in the Nanaimo area in the mid-afternoon, but stick around in much of the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area throughout the day.

The Island Hwy. through Nanaimo had areas of compacted snow, but was being regularly plowed on Monday morning. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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A second bout of snow will come as “sea-effect snow” according to Environment Canada.

“…due to outflow winds crossing the southern Strait of Georgia beginning overnight tonight or Tuesday morning and lasting through to Tuesday night. This second scenario will concentrate the heavy snow between Nanaimo and Victoria, as well as parts of the Southern Gulf Islands.”

Accumulation amounts will be “highly variable” according to the weather office.

Both the timing of the snow and the strength of the winds are difficult to pinpoint and could have significant effects on final snow amounts.

Officials advise travellers to stay home unless they have to go out.

Area roadways on Monday morning were slow, however multiple accidents were reported in the Nanaimo area including a vehicle which sheered a BC Hydro poll, and another which rolled onto its roof.

Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said hilly roads, including Turner Rd. off Hwy. 19A, Rutherford Rd. and Departure Bay Rd. shouldn’t be driven on unless your vehicle is fully equipped to handle the conditions.

“If you don’t have good winter tires, you’re going to be part of the problem not the solution. The other thing is common sense, if you don’t have good tires on consider taking alternative transportation and staying off the roadways.”

He said a handful of road closures are in effect as a result of earlier incidents, which have also included several fender benders.

“Those are to be expected, and what happens there is that cars are travelling too close together. You have to be prepared to stop and you have to increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.”

RDN Transit moved into alternate routes on Monday in a bid to keep service going on main lines. Travellers planning to take a bus should check the RDN’s website for updates on the schedule.

Vancouver Island University was open for morning classes, however it announced a closure of its campuses just after 11 a.m.

Meteorologist with Environment Canada Matt Loney said the snow will likely continue into Tuesday with another 10-15 centimetres expected to fall by that evening, with sunshine back in the forecast by Wednesday.

However, Loney said the cold temperatures will stick around for a bit longer.

“We’re still going to be below normal definitely by the weekend and possibly even early into next week. We could see some milder air incurring along the coast so you might get back up to normal, but then the chances are higher for another Artic outbreak if this cold air remains entrenched through the middle part of the month.”

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