Update: 9 pm Wed. Jan. 15 – UFV Winter weather watch continues

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Update Wednesday, Jan. 15, 9pm 

UFV is monitoring weather and road conditions across the Fraser Valley closely as Environment Canada is forecasting arctic outflow winds and low wind chill values overnight, and snow.

Next update at 6:00 am Thursday, Jan 16, 2020.

When making the decision to open or close campuses, UFV takes an array of factors from all regions across the Fraser valley into consideration. This data includes road conditions, current weather, weather and road warnings, the ability to clear snow from campuses, and ultimately the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

Please check this blog or ufv.ca for updates.

11 thoughts on “Update: 9 pm Wed. Jan. 15 – UFV Winter weather watch continues”

    • Hi Lifisgud, (good email name btw)
      We know people commute some distance to attend including on hwy 1 – especially hwy 1 – so we look at these factors for all regions and all campuses including these data points:
      o Environment Canada warnings and forecasts
      o RCMP road advisories
      o Drive BC reports
      o First hand reports from those who have to drive to campus
      o Media traffic reports
      o Reports from 24/7 staff in the security offices who take photos of the campuses and measure snow accumulation, wind speed, and condition of sidewalks etc.
      o Ability to clear snow so parking is possible
      o Staffing levels and ability to clear snow from sidewalks, walkways etc.
      o School district closures
      o Municipal closures

  2. Mission Public Schools announced they made the decision at 9pm to close for tomorrow already based on existing and forecasted conditions.

    • Thanks Nicole,
      We know people commute some distance to attend so we look at these factors for all regions and all campuses:
      o Environment Canada warnings and forecasts
      o RCMP road advisories
      o Drive BC reports
      o First hand reports from those who have to drive to campus
      o Media traffic reports
      o Reports from 24/7 staff in the security offices who take photos of the campuses and measure snow accumulation, wind speed, and condition of sidewalks etc.
      o Ability to clear snow so parking is possible
      o Staffing levels and ability to clear snow from sidewalks, walkways etc.
      o School district closures
      o Municipal closures

      These weather situations are fluid. We typically make the open or closed decision between 0430 and 0530 each morning and communicate by 6am at the latest. This gives us the most recent data but gives students time to commute.
      Stay safe and if, after considering the factors, you don’t feel safe, then do not drive.

  4. Mission roads are very snowy, 3ft high snow drifts on some roads cause of the wind. Many will have a hard time commuting down the hill, let alone across the valley.

  7. Hey, just a heads up that Chilliwack SD has also closed for today due to treacherous weather conditions and road safety. Mission is hard to navigate due to ice and snow on the roads making the hills difficult. Most roads out to Aldergrove are also icy and wind gusts make all loose snow blow across the road

  8. For a little bit of assistance Dave, I’ve checked the weather forecast for Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Mission, checked the school districts, and checked the road conditions and this is what I found.
    • Hwy 1 still closed, or at least dangerous, between No. 3 rd and Chilliwack River Rd. Intel from Maps on iPhone
    • Snow not expected until 12 pm but wind chills expected to start around 9:00 am.
    • Chilliwack and mission school districts closed, still unknown for Abbotsford

    I thought I could help as much as I can

    • I would like to add onto that Hwy 1 thing. It also says work is being done on Global News traffic report page.

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