Storm Knocks Out Power
Prince George, B.C. – The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Prince George, as 11 centimeters of snow have already fallen on the region and a further 5 to 10 cm of snow is forecast to fall by this afternoon when the snow is expected to end for most of the region.
With warmer air aloft moving into the central interior late in the day freezing rain is expected to develop over northern portions of the Prince George region – north of the city of Prince George. Freezing rain is also expected to develop over Bulkley Valley and The Lakes – northwest including Smithers this evening. Freezing rain is forecast to continue overnight until temperatures warm above the freezing mark.
The McGregor Williston regions can expect 20-30 centimeters of snow by tomorrow morning.20 to 30 cm of snow for the McGregor and Williston regions by Saturday morning.
The heavy snowfall has already been blamed for numerous power outages in the region.
North of Prince George, power is out between McLeod Lake and the Parsnip Indian Reserve. To the east, there is an outage between Willor River and Upper Fraser, and another from Dome Creek to Crescent Spur.
South, there is an outage on Scott Road, north of the Buckhorn Lake Road, another outage is reported in Cinema, and further south, there is an outage impacting the Alexandria Reserve just north of McLeese Lake.
There are driving challenges throughout the region with traffic lights out at 5th and Central in Prince George, and road conditions being less than ideal. Although City crews and Yellowhead Road and Briodge have been out clearing as quickly as they can, RCMP Sergeant Al Steinhauser advises that if your vehicle only has all season or summer tires, stay off the road "If you have good winter tires ( the ones with the snowflake), you should be o.k., but otherwise, please don’t drive."
Comments
Theres nothing wrong with all season tires Steinhauser! For the most part its drivers with no winter driving skills that are the problem.
I rather err on the save side and buy Snowtires and a set of Rims, last you for Years to come.
I agree with Dragonmaster. There is nothing wrong with all-season tires, if they have lots of tread left. It is truely the driving habits that count the most.
sorry guys, but all seasons just don’t cut it with a 20cm snowfall, this isn’t vancouver, this stuff stays for 6 months, and without a good snow tread you’re going to have problems.
I assume Steinhausers comment has been removed.
This one?
“RCMP Sergeant Al Steinhauser advises that if your vehicle only has all season or summer tires, stay off the road “If you have good winter tires (the ones with the snowflake), you should be o.k., but otherwise, please don’t drive.”
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I have spoken to 3 separate retired RCMP who agree that for those who know how to drive properly and safely in winter (and, for that matter in summer) one does not need snow tires.
Yes, snow tires are for deep snow. Great for getting up the hill to Purden.
In the city, they help somewhat with fresh deep snow on the local residential streets in the first day or so of a fresh snowfall.
As someone has already posted, the key to both snow and all weather tires is that there is enough tread left to make a difference. On compact snow, there is virtually no difference in my experience or that of the retired RCMP I spoke to.
Studs are virtually useless unless driving on wet ice. In fact, when driving on bare pavement, stopping distances increase over non-studded tires. Streets around here are often bare for part of the winter between snowfalls. Also, aggregate which every now and then ends up on bare pavement at intersections after thaws will increase stopping distance.
Result of all this?
Understand the conditions of the road, the conditions of your vehicle, your driving abilities, and adjust your driving accordingly.
If you feel you are more comfortable with one type of tire over another, great!
BS. Having snow tires in this country makes a night and day difference over all seasons. Studs make a huge difference in most types of icy road conditions if not all….
I’ve run high dollar all season tires on my truck and medium priced snow tires in the winter. The snow tires will walk all over my near new all seasons any day of the week in winter.
absolutely right mercenary
Winter tires are the law people when you see the sign “winter tires or chains past this point”. The police can turn you back if you don’t have the tires. If you are in an accident with your all seasons on your car in those areas you will be charged under the motor vehicle act.
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/faq.htm#winter_tires
Click on the Winter Tires link at the top.
These signs are seen around PG. One place in particular is the bottom of Peden Hill.
Happy to see the snow tire advocates are alive and well on this board.
There is one problem associated with snow tires be they studded or not. That problem is the vehicle they are attached to or the confidence level of the driver. I left home this morning as usual and spent the next 45 min dodging cars that had no business being on our roads. From lady with 2 young kids stuck on a side street to the person creeping down peden hill at around 20kmh (in the left lane no less) and just to prove no bias on my part I am gonna have to point a finger at all the people with 4×4 that don’t have a frigging clue how to use it.
The best snow tires in the world are not going to work well when that vehicle is plowing snow.
I myself own a 4×4 and I have for the last 30 years, you see I know I live where it snows and perhaps have snow on streets for 4 to 6 months, I for the record have never had a problem with our streets or highways because of this.
It seems the only problem I have with winter driving is trying not to end up in an accident with someones vehicle that really shouldn’t be on the road due to conditions on that particular day.
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