Another snow day for schools, not TRU

UPDATE — Thompson Rivers University campus will be open for business today (Tuesday). The university announced at 6:30 a.m. that regular operations will resume today after a snow day closure Monday. The exception today will be services and work in the Campus Activity Centre.

With the easing off of the snowfall, there’s no weather alert in the South Thompson today, but the forecast freezing rain is being reported in some parts of the region.

NEWS/ WEATHER — There will be no classes in School District 73 schools again Tuesday.

Schools superintendent Karl deBruijn sent a voice message to parents Monday afternoon confirming another snow day due to a forecast of more snow followed by freezing rain.

“Although we have been advised by the highways and municipal snow clearing crews that they will continue to work through the day and night with all available crews and equipment, they are just managing to keep up with the main highways and streets,” he said.

“They have cautioned, however, that if the snow continues and the freezing rain arrives, they may not be able to keep up with the clearing and sanding of roads, especially on the secondary and tertiary routes. These are the routes that many of our buses, our staff and our parent vehicles use to get to schools.”

DeBruijn said it appears likely the district could not effectively operate its bus fleet or ensure enough staff at schools to supervise students.

Thompson Rivers University, which also closed its campus Monday, will decide Tuesday morning whether or not to re-open.

Environment Canada issued a warning Monday afternoon that hazardous winter conditions are expected in the South Thompson region as snow continues tonight (Monday) with up to 10 centimetres by Tuesday morning.

Arctic air in the valley bottoms is being slowly mixed with milder air moving in at the level of mountain tops, the weather office said, setting up the possibility of freezing rain tonight and into Tuesday morning.

Travellers were again advised to postpone non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Drive B.C. reported compact snow with slippery sections on the Trans Canada 10 km. east of Cache Creek to Kamloops and from Kamloops to the junction of Highway 97 at Monte Creek.

Compact snow and slushy sections, freezing rain, black ice and water pooling were being reported on various parts of the Coquihalla in the early evening.

There was also compact snow with slippery sections on Highways 5A and 97C.