Heavy snow, strong winds expected to batter B.C. on Saturday, Sunday

Environment Canada has issued a dozen snowfall warningsor winter storm watches for communities across southern, central and northeasternBritish Columbia.

A Pacific frontal system is expected to sweep through the B.C. Interior, bringing heavy snow and strong winds Saturday before it tapers off on Sunday.

"Many areas will see five centimetresof snowfall while higher elevations could see as much as 10 centimetres," Environment Canada said.

"The cold front is forecast to cross Prince George early [Saturday] evening, 100 Mile and Blue River late [Saturday] evening. Revelstoke and the southwest Interior near midnight and finally the Kootenay regions after midnight."

Snowfall warnings have been issued for parts of the Boundary, East Columbia, Kootenay Lake, Shuswap, West Columbia and West Kootenay regions.

Winter storm watches have been issued for parts of the Fraser Canyon, Fraser Valley, Nicola region, the Okanagan Valley, Similkameen and South Thompson areas.

Heavy snow, wind could create poor driving conditions

Environment Canada warns drivers that heavy snow is also expected in the coastal passes, and combined with gusting winds, it will create poor driving conditions.

In Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley,Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands, gusts of up to 80 km/h could be seen overnight on Saturday, according to a special weather statement.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure system crossing northern B.C. is expected to bring heavy snowfall and high winds to the Pine Pass in northeastern B.C. through Saturday.

On Sunday, Arctic air is expected to flood the region bringing plummeting temperatures and flurries.