Snow day 2: North Shore schools closed again as drivers warned of freezing rain

Wednesday’s epic snowstorm on the North Shore may be in the snow plow’s rear view mirror, but we’re not out of the woods yet.

Thursday could still bring snow flurries to North and West Vancouver, as well as a risk of freezing rain later in the afternoon.

“It’s the worst type of hazard actually,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castallen. Snow flurries are still possible throughout Thursday on the North Shore. The risk of freezing rain will begin Thursday afternoon and continue through Friday morning, when temperatures will start to warm up again.

Once again, police and road contractors are advising motorists not to drive unless they have to, due to slippery conditions.

Due to forecasted weather, schools in both North Vancouver and West Vancouver remain closed on Thursday.

Capilano University, UBC, BCIT and Simon Fraser also pre-emptively cancelled all in-person classes for a second day on Thursday.

The West Vancouver Seniors Centre is also closed Thursday with programs cancelled for the second day.

Other facilities including the West Van Community Centre, Aquatic Centre, Gleneagles Community Centre, Ice Arena, Youth Hub Museum, Ferry Building Gallery, and Music Box will be open. Curbside collection is also cancelled Thursday in West Van.

As temperatures dropped overnight Wednesday, the North Shore was still digging out from Wednesday’s ‘Big Snow’ which didn’t set local records but was still a significant dump.

Environment Canada’s weather station in West Vancouver recorded 22 centimetres of snow on Wednesday. But residents with rulers took to social media to post accumulations of anywhere from 25 centimetres in lower Caulfeild to 30 cm at higher elevations.

Municipal road crews and Miller-Capilano highways contractors were out overnight still working to clear main roads.

The District of North Vancouver reported 70 per cent of Priority 2 routs were clear and 40 per cent of Priority 3 routes were clear by Thursday morning.

The snow on Wednesday resulted in several traffic snarls, with vehicles getting stuck on both the Cut and the Taylor Way hill between Marine Drive and Highway 1 in West Vancouver.

Earlier Wednesday in  West Vancouver, a truck lost control heading south on 15th Street and crashed into a fence. The vehicle was towed and a violation ticket may be issued, according to West Vancouver Police.

Challenging road conditions also resulted in transit delays and cancellations, especially at higher elevations.