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Snowfall warning lifted for Whistler valley

Significant snowfall expected in alpine over next few days
snowyroaddrivingwhistlerbchighway
SNOWFALL WARNING Drivers dealt with heavy snow this morning in Whistler and along the Sea to Sky Highway. Pique Photo

Environment Canada has lifted its snowfall warning for the Whistler region.

Precipitation is expected to fall as snow in the alpine but rain is expected in the valley over the next few days.

Residents in Whistler awoke to 30 centimetres of fresh snow on the roads but plows were out in force by daybreak Tuesday March 12.. Mainroad had plows up and down the highway though there were many trouble spots including Suicide Hill between Pemberton and Whistler and several cars off the side of the highway between Whistler and Squamish.

Drivers are warned to drive for winter conditions. Snow tires are a must or use chains.

Drive BC is reporting slushy and slippery sections from Whistler to Pemberton (31.8 km) but generally the roads are wet and clear.

Whistler Blackcomb's avalanche warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the alpine and treeline is high.

"Backcountry travel is not advised at this time due to the heavy snowfall, strong mountaintop winds, and increasing avalanche hazard," states the advisory this morning.

"We are anticipating another widespread avalanche cycle to begin by this evening, with avalanche activity expected both above as well as below the treeline."

The warm front, which arrived onshore overnight, has stalled over the South Coast, bringing heavy snowfall today and tonight, weakening tomorrow, then intensifying again tomorrow night and Thursday. Freezing levels are expected to hover at around 1,500m today, rising to 1,800m Wednesday, then falling to 1,600m on Thursday. Snowfall will diminish on Friday with further cooling.

The mountains are expecting up to 15cm Wednesday and up to 20cm on Thursday.