Weather alerts for Vancouver Island prompt campus closures, bus cancellations

A new round of winter weather is causing bus cancellations and campus closures on Vancouver Island.

A snowfall warning of up to 10 centimetres is in place for the Greater Victoria region, while further northEnvironment Canada is warning drivers in Nanaimo and along the Malahat Highway of freezing rain Thursdayafternoon turning to snow of up to 20 centimetres overnight.

On Thursday afternoon, the Cowichan Valley School District cancelled bus pickup at several schoolsdue to worsening weather conditions, with parents encouraged to pick up their children as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, North Island Collegeannounced the closures ofits campuses in Campbell River, the Comox Valley and Port Albernieffective at 4 p.m. Thursday due to snowfall warnings, with all classes including those held online cancelled until furthernotice.

WATCH | Wintry weather hits Vancouver Island:

Snow dump brings wintry scenes, road challenges to Vancouver Island

9 months ago

Duration 1:20

Residents prepared for the snowfall that blanketed parts of Vancouver Island, from Nanaimo to Victoria, on Wednesday and many faced some of the challenges that came with it. According to Environment Canada, up to 10 centimetres of snow is forecast for the Island before the afternoon.

As of 10:15p.m. PT Thursday, over 7,000 B.C. Hydro customers were without power across the Islandprimarily due to downed wires.

The Greater Victoria Public Library system shut down at 4 p.m. Thursday due to "inclement weather and road conditions,"according to a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

And in Sooke, parents are being warned of potential bus delays, with the school district saying it will make a decision about whether to hold Friday classes by 6:30 a.m.

Several after-school programs and events have also beencancelled around the Island. Parents and guardians are urged to check in with their school for more information.

Classes in several Island school districts were cancelled Wednesday, but resumed Thursday.