Road crews readying for Metro Vancouver snowfall while Victoria under storm warning

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With snow in the forecast for Metro Vancouver over the long weekend, road crews are preparing for winter conditions.

Weather Specialist Michelle Yi says there could between two to 10 centimetres of light snow falling in the region Saturday. Victoria, however, could see a lot more.

RELATED: Light snow expected on Lower Mainland this weekend

Darren Ell, with Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting, says the snowfall comes at a good time.

“Traffic is generally quieter on long weekends, particularly in the wintertime,” he says. “It allows us to get out on the roads and do more snowplowing without dealing with rush hour, dealing with traffic volume per se, so I think it’s going to work out really well.”

Ell says his crews have already been salting and brining the roads this week, sometimes twice, in anticipation of the snow event. His crews will switch over to ploughing as soon as the snow starts to stick.

“If you don’t feel comfortable driving or if you don’t have to be out driving, stay at home. Let us clear the roads. The storm isn’t going to last too long from what we’re hearing and you’ll be good to go in short order,” Ell adds.

Meanwhile, Victoria is under a winter storm warning with up to 25 centimetres of snow in the forecast.

But Mayor Lisa Helps says most people in Victoria are not looking forward to the snow, especially struggling businesses that hope to be busy over the long weekend.

To prepare for the winter weather, Helps says the city is focused on clearing the snow, but also taking care of people.

“I think we have both in hand, although there will still be some people left outside because there’s just not enough indoor space,” she says.

Helps says more shelter spaces are opening for the homeless.

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