Friday morning feels like a deja vu of Tuesday.
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is once again seeing numerous cancellations as snowfall, freezing rain and cold temperatures are looming over Greater Victoria.
On Friday morning, WestJet preemptively cancelled all flights in and out of Victoria and Vancouver.
Due to a winter storm scheduled to impact Vancouver and Southern BC, we've cancelled all flights arriving and departing Vancouver, Abbotsford, Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox until the afternoon of December 23, pending conditions. https://t.co/XBmt9J5qR0
— WestJet (@WestJet) December 23, 2022
Winter weather conditions continue to disrupt travel to and from YYJ with cancellations and delays expected throughout the day. Travellers should check with their airlines for the latest flight info.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/hR9S53oCFY
— Victoria Int Airport (@Fly_YYJ) December 23, 2022
Other airlines have followed suit, but Air Canada, Swoop, Pacific Coastal and Flair airlines are all cancelling or delaying flights on a case by case basis.
Air Canada has put a ‘goodwill policy’ in place which allows customers to cancel flights online and receive a full refund between December 22nd and 26th.
With winter storms, a new goodwill policy lets customers cancel flights online and receive a full refund or voucher on tickets purchased on or before Dec. 21 for any flight between Dec. 22-26.
Details https://t.co/A0qSxJlcRi
1/2 pic.twitter.com/0K3MkCdMHl— Air Canada (@AirCanada) December 23, 2022
The best way to stay up to date with flight information at YYJ is through their website on the arrivals and departures pages.
As of 10 a.m. on Friday, 22 of 33 flights meant to depart today have been outright cancelled with three flights being delayed.
You can also follow YYJ on Twitter for updates from the airport.
Related:
- Here are live updates of current highway conditions on southern Vancouver Island (PHOTOS)
- Province warns Vancouver Islanders to stay off the roads as freezing rain approaches
- BC Ferries and BC Transit cancel morning services ahead of Friday’s winter storm
BC Transit has suspended all routes until at least 1:30 p.m. in the Greater Victoria region and BC Ferries has cancelled its early morning sailings as well following the province’s travel advisory early on Friday morning.
Environment Canada is calling for freezing rain and ice pellets all day on Friday with more rain to come heading into the weekend.
“A layer of above freezing temperatures has formed above the cold arctic air persisting near the surface. Ice pellets and freezing rain will become intermittent later this morning as a pacific front moves through,” said Environment Canada in a weather statement
“Ice accretion of 2 to 5 mm is possible before temperatures rise above freezing late this afternoon.”
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Utility outages may occur.”
On Thursday afternoon, the province held a press conference asking British Columbians to stay home and not drive on the roads if they can.
Friday’s weather system that is causing a winter calamity so close to Christmas began in the interior, sweeping through the mountain ranges and making their way through the province to the coastal fjords and out to Vancouver Island.
“I strongly encourage everyone in these areas to travel only if necessary,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
Significant freezing rain is being predicted and will cause icy road conditions all through the province.
According to the province, highway maintenance workers will be working 24/7 through the rest of the week in an attempt to keep up with the weather system by plowing, sanding and salting.
