Snow likely tonight in capital region

After a number of crisp, sunny days, Greater Victoria could see some snow, likely tonight.

By Friday, there is a chance of accumulations from five to 10 centimetres, said Environment Canada meteorologist Ross Macdonald.

“Thursday night into Friday are the time periods we’re keeping an eye on right now,” Macdonald said Wednesday evening. “We’re just on the leading edge of the weather system that’s going to push down and impact us.”

The potential for snow prompted Environment Canada to issue special-weather statements for Greater Victoria, the southern Gulf Islands, and inland and eastern Vancouver Island.

Lingering Arctic air is making snow more of a possibility, Macdonald said.

Winds are expected to pick up moisture from the Strait of Georgia and drop it as snow on eastern and southern Vancouver Island, he said. Snow is also possible on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Nighttime temperatures in Greater Victoria are forecast to be below zero through Monday, with Saturday the coldest at -5 C.

The Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol has been activated over the past few days, making extra shelter spaces available. Co-ordinator Jen Wilde said another 15 mats were added to the inventory Wednesday night, bringing the total extra mats to 95.

Combined with existing mats at locations such as Our Place, Rock Bay Landing and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, there were 465 indoor shelter spaces available on Wednesday night.

“We just want to make sure that we have enough room for anybody that’s looking for shelter, that’s the plan,” Wilde said. She said there was a bit of room to spare Tuesday night.

A prolonged period of extreme weather tends to cause a jump in the number of people seeking a place indoors, she said.

Wilde said there is always a need for donated items for the program.

“The big thing that we’re needing right now is men’s clothing, men’s jackets, men’s sweaters,” she said. “We need toques and mitts, the kinds of things that people would need to dress warmly.

“We have an abundance of women’s things, [but] we seem to be having a lack of men’s things.”

Hand warmers and other similar devices would also be appreciated, Wilde said.

Donations can be dropped off at Our Place (919 Pandora Ave.), Rock Bay Landing (535 Ellice St.) or the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (525 Johnson St.).