Most locations across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley can expect to see wet snow and rain early Saturday morning, the first precipitation in a few days.
Global BC meteorologist Mark Madryga says Friday morning is clear and cold across the region, between -2 C and -6 C, but clouds will move in later Friday.
The wet snow and rain is expected to arrive overnight.
Areas of the Fraser Valley could also see freezing rain, which can cause power outages and treacherous driving conditions.
However, don’t expect this wet blast of winter weather to stick around for long.
“This wintry mix of precipitation will be fairly light and short-lived, as drier air will quickly move back into Metro Vancouver by noon Saturday,” Madryga said. “A more vigorous weather system will arrive first thing on Sunday with heavier rain and gusty wind, except for snow on the North Shore mountains.”
TransLink says it has activated its winter snow plan to ensure transit service stays as reliable as possible.
It is calling out extra staff, salting and sanding transit exchanges, coordinating with municipalities on snow clearing and deploying special trucks to spread anti-icing solution on trolley wires.
If conditions are severe, TransLink will replace articulated buses with conventional buses, install tire socks on buses on Burnaby Mountain and on key North Shore routes, run a special SkyTrain that sprays de-icer on the power rail and run trains through the night if snow is especially heavy.
TransLink will also send out HandyDART with two staff per vehicle.