Cold snap brings warning of icy roads and sidewalks

Residents of Metro Vancouver, Victoria and other parts of the South Coast are warned to watch out for icy conditions on roads and sidewalks today after temperatures dipped below freezing last night.

Across the region drivers and transit riders are advised to give themselves extra time and watch out for black ice and slippery snow, particularly on side roads that may not have been plowed or salted.

Midway through the commute Tuesday morning West Shore RCMP near Victoria were already reporting icy conditions that caused several traffic accidents.

Around Metro Vancouver traffic appeared to be flowing on most major routes during the morning commute. City crews spent the night keeping major roads and transit routes cleared and salted after an unexpectedly heavy snowfall jammed yesterday's morning commute.

Temperatures for the region are forecast to remain chilly until Thursday when the snow will return.

Commuter tips:

Most major highways appeared to be clear but secondary routes and residential side streets are icy.

Buses up to SFU's Burnaby campus are running today, TransLink is reporting, after heavy snow shut down service yesterday. .

In south Vancouver the #20 bus route was terminating at 54th Avenue and Victoria and a shuttle was operating to the Harrison loop.

Bus #157 was detouring via Brunette Avenue and Marmont Street in both directions, said TransLink.

No SkyTrain or Canada Line delays were reported.

Police and road crews around Victoria were reporting icy conditions, including on Craigflower Road.