Parts of Metro Vancouver began December with a sprinkling of snow late Sunday morning, with more expected to fall in the Fraser Valley by Monday morning.
Environment Canada says a weak front is set to bring snow to the Lower Mainland throughout the rest of the day and overnight.
Two to four centimetres of snow is possible by Monday morning in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and the surrounding areas, the weather agency says.
Forecasters later upped that special weather statement to a snowfall warning for the eastern Fraser Valley, including Hope, where up to five centimetres are now expected to fall by Sunday night.
An additional two to four centimetres could then fall in the area by Monday morning.
Global BC weather specialist Kasia Bodurka says snow in Metro Vancouver turned from a possibility into a likelihood over the course of the week.
“For some time the models were in disagreement — is it going to be snow, is it going to be rain — and it’s starting to show up that it’s certainly going to be snow,” she said.
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While Metro Vancouver won’t see as much snow as the Fraser Valley, Bodurka says higher elevations like the North Shore mountains will see heavier flurries than Vancouver proper.
“We’re not looking at heavy amounts of snow, this is a relatively weak system,” she said. “But it is snow nonetheless, which could create some dicey conditions for your morning commute.”
Bodurka said accumulation is still possible in Metro Vancouver later Sunday night.
However, another front arriving by Monday morning is set to raise temperatures overnight, turning the precipitation into rain.
“By tomorrow morning on the major routes, if we still do see precipitation, it’ll likely be in the form of showers,” Bodurka said.
Drivers are warned to slow down and leave plenty of space between themselves and other vehicles if snow is on the roads.
As of Oct. 1, drivers travelling on most B.C. highways are required to equip their vehicles with winter tires until April 30.
Drivers without the proper winter tires could receive a fine of $121, commercial vehicles not carrying chains when required could face a $196 penalty, and commercial vehicles bypassing an active chain-up area could face a $598 fine.
Rain is expected to remain in the Vancouver forecast along with higher temperatures peaking around six degrees Celsius throughout the week.
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