The snowfall warning for Metro Vancouver ended early Friday, with rainfall leading to slushy road conditions on some city streets.
“Temperatures through the overnight were steady around 1 degree or even more, and that’s why the majority of the precipitation that we saw did fall as rain,” Global News weather specialist Kasia Bodurka said.
WATCH: Southwestern B.C. braces for more snow
“Great news for the roads, though I’d still be wary about the side roads that could still be on the slushy side. Moving forward, there’s still a chance of wet snow through the morning hours or even rain into the afternoon periods of rain or wet snow still possible throughout Metro Vancouver.”
TransLink has not reporting any big problems for the buses or SkyTrain.
Storm timeline
Global BC meteorologist Kristi Gordon said Friday afternoon should see temperatures climb to three or four degrees in Metro Vancouver and a transition to rain, while snow and freezing rain will remain a concern in the valley.
Environment Canada says up to 15 centimetres of snow are possible for several regions of the South Coast, particularly on Vancouver Island.
WATCH: B.C. weather forecast for Feb. 14, 2019
You can see full and up to date Environment Canada warnings and alerts here.
Roads and travel
TransLink says it has mobilized extra staff and has sanded and salted transit exchanges. It says it has substituted a number of its 60-foot articulated buses for shorter, 40-foot buses with better traction.
It says it has also turned off SkyTrain track intrusion alarms and has deployed SkyTrain Attendants to watch for guideway issues, however trains are running at a reduced frequency.
HandyDART service has been reduced to essential service levels, meaning all non-essential travel will be rescheduled.
Multiple bus routes, including the #20 Victoria and #95 SFU are experiencing disruptions.
Passengers are still being warned to expect delays and crowding during peak period, and to plan extra time into their commute. You can see updated transit alerts here.
READ MORE: B.C.’s South Coast begins digging out from storm, but more snowfall is on the way
The City of Vancouver said Thursday that crews had been on the roads all night salting arterial roads, bridge decks and viaducts.
Drivers without snow tires are advised to stay off the roads, and motorists are also being reminded that they must fully clear snow off their vehicle or potentially face a $109 fine.
A mandatory commercial vehicle chain-up was in effect for the Malahat on Vancouver Island for several hours on Thursday evening.
DriveBC has also issued a travel advisory for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops, and the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to West Kelowna, and has warned of limited visibility due to blowing snow.
The Vancouver International Airport is also advising passengers to check the status of their flight before heading to YVR.
WATCH: (Aired: Feb. 12, 2019) Second blast of winter hits southwestern B.C.
Closures
Douglas College cancelled all classes on Thursday effective at 4:30 p.m.
Simon Fraser University also cancelled evening classes late Thursday evening, and advised staff and students to make their way off of Burnaby Mountain.
Numerous school districts around the Lower Mainland also have a professional development or non instructional day scheduled for Friday, including Vancouver, North Vancouver, Langley and Abbotsford school districts and all Catholic schools.
Burnaby City Hall also closed at 4:45 p.m. Thursday due to wintry weather conditions. The city says it will reopen as normal at 8 a.m. Friday.
The Vancouver Park Board says the Stanley Park Seawall between Siwash Rock and the Lions Gate Bridge also remains closed due to the risk of falling ice.
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