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Another winter blast hits Chilliwack

Schools open but delays on transit and treacherous conditions on roads
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City of Chilliwack plows were back on the roads Thursday morning with a winter storm warning in effect and snow falling. (Paul Henderson/ The Progress)

Just when Chilliwack thought the blast of winter was over, shovelling, plowing and salting is back.

City of Chilliwack plows were on the streets Thursday morning as numerous accidents caused troubles around town.

There was an accident Highway 1 eastbound near Evans Road causing delays at around 8:15 a.m., and Chilliwack River Road was blocked in both directions south of Prairie Central Road as late as 9:15 a.m.

The winter storm watch for the region was changed to a full-on warning Thursday morning, with 20 to 30 centimetres of snow forecast before the storm passes.

Freezing rain is also a possibility, prompting Environment Canada to warn residents to limit travel.

“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.”

BC Transit noted delays on all routes in the Chilliwack area Thursday morning.

So far, all Chilliwack public schools and the University of the Fraser Valley remain open.

A travel advisory has been issued for Highway 1 from Abbotsford to Hope.

“Heavy snowfall producing limited visibility and variable road conditions are forecast Thursday, Jan. 11 to Friday, Jan. 12 with the possibility of freezing rain,” warns DriveBC.

By 7:30 a.m. two centimetres had already fallen, according to Environment Canada weather observer Roger Pannett.

Pannett noted that today, Jan. 11, is on average the coldest day of the year in Chilliwack with an average of 3.1 C. The record cold maximum was -17.8 C in 1911.


@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com

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