Winter storm: Heavy rain, snow and strong winds sweep across southern B.C.

The first winter storm of the season started hammering southern B.C. on Monday.

Heavy rain, snow and strong winds were in the forecast, Global BC meteorologist Mark Madryga said, and warnings for heavy snowfall were in effect on parts of Vancouver Island through the Southern Interior.

1:53 Winter storm slams into B.C.

1:55 Ice bombs fall from Port Mann Bridge Monday

Between 10 to 15 centimetres of snow could fall Monday for parts of the Fraser Valley including Abbotsford and Chilliwack, with up to 20 centimetres expected on the mountain passes.

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Up to 40 millimetres of rain could change to heavy wet snow by late afternoon, Madryga added.

1:47 B.C. evening weather forecast: Dec. 18

Wind warnings were also in effect for Metro Vancouver, eastern Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.

Gusts could hit 70 km/h to as high as 90 km/h in the afternoon and into the evening.

1:54 Snow falls across the Lower Mainland Monday

However, the storm wasn’t expected to last long.

“Conditions will abruptly settle down dramatically on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with mostly sunny skies, frosty mornings and cool crisp afternoons,” Madryga said.