It’s a sign that winter is coming to parts of B.C. already.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the following regions:
- Boundary
- East Columbia
- Kootenay Lake
- Nicola
- Okanagan Valley
- Shuswap
- West Columbia
- West Kootenay
These areas will see a cold front pass through, with cold air expected to hang around through the upcoming week. Global BC Meteorologist Kristi Gordon said this is the season’s first big pool of cold air that’s dropped down from the north on Sunday and stationed itself over the southern and central parts of B.C. Temperatures have plummeted by more than 10 degrees, Gordon said, which is bringing conditions well below seasonal.
WATCH: Video captures hailstorm that hit Lower Mainland
Snow is expected at higher elevations but at most, a few centimetres can be expected.
With road temperatures still warm from a long and hot summer, the snow is not expected to stick. However, with the possibility of snow in mind, travellers in high elevations would be wise to prepare for winter driving conditions. The first snows of the season are usually slushy but can affect roadways.
Gordon said this period of unseasonably cold weather will last until Wednesday for the coast and until Thursday for the interior of B.C.
While winter is coming to some parts of the province, the Lower Mainland got hit with a hailstorm on Monday.
Residents in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam were stunned to see hail the size of a nickel, coming down on Burke Mountain, in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
Gordon said the hail was caused by a cold airmass, which is also unstable and can result in intense rain or hail popping up. The South Coast is particularly vulnerable on Monday because of a weak low pressure centre that is moving into the region.
The freak hailstorm was captured and posted to social media.
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