Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island residents can expect another day of travel chaos Wednesday, as snow combines with an arctic front.
Workers who fought to clear roadways, ferry terminals and airport tarmac of tens of centimetres of snow Tuesday will now be battling the impacts of freezing temperatures on infrastructure and equipment.
Environment Canada has issued arctic outflow warnings for all of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, with temperatures forecast to drop as low as -30 C in some regions Wednesday and Thursday with the wind chill.
HereB次元官网网址檚 what travellers can expect throughout the regions:
Transit Riders
In Metro Vancouver, TransLink is warning people to prepare for delays and reduced service Wednesday as a result of the freezing weather. It says people should only travel if necessary, and if they do should allow for extra travel time and check ahead for cancellations or changes.
Good morning, folks! The Customer Information department and Twitter desk are now open. Remember to dress warm and leave early in anticipation of potential delays. We can be reached at 604-953-3333 or here at the Twitter desk. Hope you all have a great day! ^pj
B次元官网网址� TransLink BC (@TransLink)
The situation remains uncertain in the IslandB次元官网网址檚 largest hub, where Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 bus provider said it would halt all transit until at least 8 a.m. Wednesday. At that point, Victoria Transit plans to send out test buses to see if conditions are manageable. The situation is the same for the Gulf Islands.
(1/3)鈿狅笍鉂勶笍 - due to unsafe road conditions, service continues to be suspended at this time. We truly apologize for the inconvenience & appreciate your patience.
B次元官网网址� BC Transit B次元官网网址� Victoria (@victoriatransit)
Plane Passengers
After a day of utter airport chaos Tuesday, both the Victoria and Vancouver international airports are warning travellers that more delays and cancellations are likely Wednesday.
In an update early Wednesday morning, YVR said its airfield remains congested and it will be limiting incoming international flights until about Friday morning.
B次元官网网址淲e continue to ensure our runways and taxiways remain clear and are facilitating some arrivals and departures thanks to improving conditions, however flight delays and cancellations should be expected.B次元官网网址�
Both airports are strongly recommending flyers check in with their airlines before showing up.
WestJet announced Tuesday evening that anyone with a flight before Dec. 26 who wants to cancel it will be offered a full refund. Air Canada is asking customers whose flights are cancelled to re-book online.
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Sending out a big thank you to the YYJ airfield maintenance crew who have been working tirelessly to clear the runways.
B次元官网网址� Victoria Int Airport (@Fly_YYJ)
YVR UPDATE (1:20 PM) - The winter storm that hit Metro Vancouver and Southern B.C. overnight has resulted in an unprecedented number of cancelled flights. Airport employees as well as our partners are doing everything possible to assist those currently in the terminal. 馃У
B次元官网网址� YVR (@yvrairport)
Ferry Goers
BC Ferries scrapped a bunch of its south coast sailings Tuesday morning, but as of Wednesday it said itB次元官网网址檚 hoping to run most of its usual trips.
Already however, the 5:15 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Duke Point was delayed over an hour due to a frozen drain pipe. BC Ferries further cancelled the 6:15 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay and 8:25 a.m. sailing from Departure Bay because of a frozen throttle on the shipB次元官网网址檚 rescue boat.
The ferry operator has also cancelled some morning sailings from Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay.
ItB次元官网网址檚 asking passengers to allow extra time to get to terminals, and said the cold weather could cause departure delays.
READ ALSO:
departed 1 hour & 14 minutes behind schedule for the 5:15 am sailing from Tsawwassen due to an onboard water leak caused by a frozen drain pipe. More details here: ^ta
B次元官网网址� BC Ferries (@BCFerries)
Roadway Commuters
Drivers are, as usual, being asked to stay off the roads for non-essential travel and if they donB次元官网网址檛 have winter tires. They are reminded to fully clear off their vehicles of any snow before driving and to use extra caution.
Roadways are likely to be slippery and delays are expected. Drivers can check conditions ahead of time at DriveBC.ca.
Compact snow & slippery sections across the . Do not travel unless your vehicle is equipped with winter tires, working head & taillights, wipers, & snow has been cleared off your vehicle. For conditions see
B次元官网网址� DriveBC (@DriveBC)
Light snowfall scattered across South currently. Temps remain at -3掳C.
B次元官网网址� Emcon Services Inc. - South Island Division (@EmconSouthVI)
Drive to conditions:
馃敽锔廟educe speeds, avoid harsh braking
馃敽锔廔ncrease space between other vehicles
馃敽锔廏ive yourself extra time
jane.skrypnek@blackpress.ca
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