Heavy snowfall and a high avalanche risk led to the closure of Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Sunday.
JANUARY 21: Resort is CLOSED. Due to heavy snowfall and high avalanche danger, we will not be opening today. Please do not travel up the road. Visit https://t.co/nyyjh52ZmU for updates
— Mount Washington (@MountWashington) January 21, 2018
IT'S A SNOW DAY for @MountWashington. Resort closed today due to problems with the road, avalanche dangers and power difficulties. Drivers being advised NOT to drive up to the Mountain. pic.twitter.com/hrHCesKArH
— Gord Kurbis (@CTVNewsGord) January 21, 2018
Avalanche Canada is encouraging people venturing outdoors to stick to simple terrain until the new snow has settled.
We’re stuck at the top! Incredible amount of snow. Trucks parked in driveway to Henry Rd condo buried. Cars abandoned on the hill. We aren’t going anywhere #snowday https://t.co/XBzPpltY5D
— Louise Hartland (@Louise_Hartland) January 21, 2018
Work in progress... pic.twitter.com/3kcye1z8d6
— Terry Bergen (@terry_bergen) January 21, 2018
Drive BC says Mount Washington Road is closed from the resort to the junction of Highway 19 for winter maintenance and won’t re-open until 5:30 a.m. on Monday.
REMINDER - #MountWashington Road is CLOSED in both directions from Mount Washington to Junction of #BCHwy19 because of winter highway maintenance. Estimated time of opening is 5:30 AM. https://t.co/WEPR9FH8YN
— DriveBC VI (@DriveBC_VI) January 22, 2018
A wind warning was issued for parts of B.C., including Greater Victoria and East Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada says an intense Pacific frontal system is moving slowly eastward across the South Coast and winds could reach speeds up to 80 km/hr.
Around 65,000 BC Hydro customers were without power Sunday morning following a storm overnight.
About 25,000 customers were impacted across the Southern Gulf Islands.
Lines were brought down by the strong winds and falling trees.
BC Hydro crews were out through the night and will continue working throughout the day Sunday to restore power.
The storm also forced BC Ferries to cancel several sailings.
Vessels out of Swartz Bay to Galiano, Mayne and Pender Islands and some sailings from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and Duke Point were cancelled early Sunday.
Harbour Air also experienced some delays due to high winds.
Three Harbour Air flights from Victoria's harbour were cancelled and flights from Nanaimo and Ganges to Vancouver were delayed.
#HAflightstatus [9:40 am Jan 21] All flights continue to be delayed due to high winds. For assistance, pls call 1.800.665.0212 or visit https://t.co/kTxVyrfLsw for Flight Status info.
— Harbour Air Seaplanes (@HarbourAirLtd) January 21, 2018
