Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our region.

 

All Alerts In Effect for Bowen Island, British Columbia Issued at 3:45 PM PST Thursday 19 January 2012

 

This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions. Listen for updated statements.

 

On Friday there will be a transition to mild and moist Pacific air over the south coast due to a southwesterly flow. A significant snowfall of 5 to 15 cm is expected for most of the south coast. Most areas can expect snow to become mixed with freezing rain as the changeover to rain occurs. A period of extended freezing rain is expected for eastern portions of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound. Approximately 10 to 20 mm of freezing rain is possible over the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound, however at this time there is some uncertainty in the exact amount.

 

Dale Keep owner of Ice & Snow Technologies, a training and consulting company based in Walla Walla, WA. states on http://goplow.com that, "in the snow and ice management business, freezing rain is normally the most difficult form of precipitation to deal with because of the large amount of moisture and the extremely high rates of dilution for deicing chemicals applied. While the resulting ice layer resembles a black ice condition, it is different in that there is a continuous addition of ice to the surface."

 

He also contends that, "In severe storms, when ice forms and the storm continues, there is a high probability that it may not be possible to manage it with chemicals. I have experienced ice storms during which we started out using chemicals only to be forced to park equipment until the storm was over. Regardless of the approach to control it, freezing rain is the ultimate challenge; and there may be times regardless of contract or intentions when reality will dictate the ultimate plan and the results."

 

For more information on Bowen Island Municipality's Snow and Ice Control Program, please visit:

 

http://www.bimbc.ca/roads_drainage

 

Engineering and Operations

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