The City of Revelstoke has resumed public transit but warns it will be operating behind schedule because of the huge storm that blanketed the city last night.
Transit was shut down for several hours on Wednesday due to the heavy snowfall.
According to Darren Komonoski, the city's director of public works, almost 70 centimetres of snow has fallen in town since snow started falling again on Monday, Feb. 10. He said all available resources are at work clearing snow but depending on further snowfall, he expects it to take three to four days to clear all city streets.
The snow storm began Monday, with about 20 centimetres falling by Tuesday morning. It let up during the day until a new front moved in Tuesday night, adding more than 40 centimetres to the total and leaving the city buried in its wake.
At Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 43 centimetres was reported overnight, much to the delight of any skier in town who didn't have to be anywhere important.
Out on the highways, the snowfall closed the Trans-Canada Highway on both sides of Revelstoke. DriveBC estimated the highway would open west of town at around 1 p.m. following avalanche control work; east of town, avalanche control in Glacier National Park is expected to cause delays of up to four hours until it wraps up around 4 p.m.
DriveBC is warning that with warming temperatures and more snowfall in the forecast, poor driving conditions exist and further closures for avalanche control may be required.
A snowfall warning for the region has ended, but Environment Canada is calling for another 10–20 centimetres by the end of Thursday and a mix of snow and rain on Friday.
DriveBC is warning of compact snow and slippery sections on the highways around Revelstoke, with blowing snow and limited visibility making matters worse.
The Canadian Avalanche Centre has elevated the avalanche danger rating to high in the alpine and at treeline, and considerable below treeline in the North and South Columbia forecast regions.
Check www.drivebc.ca for updates on road conditions.