"Stay home" was the advice from Abbotsford Police as drivers slipped and slid off snow-blown roads in the community's prairie regions Wednesday.

"If drivers have to be out, their vehicles should be equipped with snow tires, and have a cell phone with a fully charged battery," said Const. Ian MacDonald.

Early in the day, police and Abbotsford Fire Rescue crews collected stranded motorists from roads on Sumas Prairie as drifting snow and near-zero visibility brought many drivers to a halt.

"We did have a lot of activity with stranded motorists between 8 and 10 a.m.," said Abbotsford Deputy Fire Chief Dale Unrau Wednesday afternoon.

Motorists were taken to Upper Sumas Elementary School for temporary shelter until rides could be arranged, he said.

An arctic front and gusting winds battered the Fraser Valley, causing whiteout conditions along the TransCanada Highway between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

Drivers navigating the stretch of

highway along the Sumas Prairie faced poor visibility due to blowing snow, the result of northeasterly gusts of up to 60 km/hr.

Snow drifted across portions of the freeway and Sumas and Matsqui Prairie roads, blocking access and making the roads difficult to see.

The same conditions applied in flat rural stretches east of Mission.

Environment Canada issued a weather warning for the Fraser Valley, for strong arctic outflow winds and chilly temperatures.

The thermometer hovered around -13 C in the morning, with a wind chill of -24 C. The high for the day was expected to be -11 C.

Abbotsford Police closed Whatcom Road to Vye Road mid-morning due to a collision near the intersection of the two roads and restricted access to Vye Road east of Sumas Way due to whiteout conditions.

Drivers tried to use the country road as an alternative to the TransCanada Highway east of Abbotsford, but visibility was poor across Sumas Prairie.

"It's bumper to bumper on Vye Road and it's super slow," said MacDonald. Police officers were out in the department's dozen or so 4x4 vehicles attending to the crash and other patrols.

Whiteout conditions also prevailed on Highway 11 between Abbotsford and Mission as it crosses Matsqui Prairie.

A few vehicles slid off the highway as a result, or because "their summer tires have finally caught up with them," MacDonald said.

Abbotsford and Mission public schools were open at the start of the day, but due to the wind, Abbotsford district closed Matsqui Elementary, Upper Sumas Elementary, and Barrowtown Elementary.

In Mission, school bus routes #3 and #4 were not in service due to mechanical issues. Drivers were warned to use extra caution on the roads and watch for school children. Parents are advised to keep an eye on district websites as conditions may change tomorrow.

HandyDart was running essential services only.

Bus services resumed in Mission and Abbotsford yesterday but users are advised to call the transit office at 604-852-5902 or 604-854-3232 or to check the website at www.bctransit.com/regions/cfv for current information.