Snowfall warning issued for Vancouver, Fraser Valley with 10 to 20 cm expected

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for areas of B.C. Thursday night.

The snowfall warning is in effect for:

• East and West Vancouver Island (including inland sections)
• Fraser Valley
• Greater Victoria
• Metro Vancouver
• Southern Gulf Islands
• Sunshine Coast

READ MORE: Vancouver street clearing crews brace for Thursday’s snowfall

Environment Canada says “significant snowfall” is expected as cold arctic air is entrenched over the region.

The snow is not expected to start until late tonight, possibly around 11 p.m., over Vancouver Island. As the storm moves further east it is expected to start snowing over Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Low-lying areas could see between five and 15 centimetres with accumulations up to 25 centimetres over higher terrain.

The snow is expected to become mixed with rain on Friday afternoon or evening in areas near sea level.

Communities in higher elevations or inland, such as the Fraser Valley, will see more snow than rain through Friday night.

Strong easterly winds combined with the snow will cause reduced visibility in blowing snow, especially in the Fraser Valley.

More precipitation is on the way Saturday but coastal regions will get rain, not snow. Flurries are possible on Sunday across the region.

When the snow hit Metro Vancouver on Monday, it had not snowed significantly in the region in about 1,000 days.