A winter storm warning continues to be in effect for east Vancouver Island as this week draws to a close.
Five to 15 centimetres of snow is expected tonight and Friday morning, mixed with freezing rain, according to Environment Canada.
Southeast winds of 90 km/h could develop Friday morning over the central coast-coastal sections.
On Friday, there will be a transition to mild and moist Pacific air over the south coast due to a southwesterly flow, according to the weather warning.
"A significant snowfall of five to 15 centimetres is expected for most of the south coast," it states. "Most areas can expect snow to become mixed with freezing rain as the changeover to rain occurs."
The seven-day forecast for Nanaimo is calling for the weather to become cloudy this evening, followed by periods of snow. About two centimetres of snow is expected, and the temperature is expected to remain steady near —3 C.
For Friday, the forecast calls for snow mixed with freezing rain, which will change to rain in the afternoon. Southeast winds of 30-50 km/h are expected in the morning, which could increase to 50-70 km/h in the afternoon. The temperature is expected to rise to 5 C.
Rain is forecast for the following five days.
Visit www.weatheroffice.gc.ca for weather information. Road conditions can be monitored at www.drivebc.ca.
News about any school closures and and changes to bus operations will be posted online on the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District's website at www.sd68.bc.ca and on the Cowichan Valley School District's website at www.sd79.bc.ca. Radio announcements will also be made on Wave 102.3 FM, Wolf 106.9 FM, CKKQ 100.3, CBC 90.5, Sun FM 89.7 and CFAX 1070.