Residents of B.C.’s Lower Mainland are being warned to prepare for challenging travel conditions and to check their pipes to ensure they don’t freeze, with a blast of wintry weather on the way.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and Sea-to-Sky region from Squamish to Whistler forecasting snow, strong outflow winds, frigid temperatures and wind chill this weekend.
“The cold air will be moving from north to south across the province starting today. Southern BC will start to feel the drop in temperature Sunday into Monday morning,” Global BC senior meteorologist Kristi Gordon said.
“There is a chance Northern and Central B.C. could experience lows close -40 C, areas like Whistler and the Southern Interior -20 C and the South Coast -5 C to -10C. If these temperatures do occur, they will rival the arctic outbreak we experienced last year during Christmas break.”
However, Gordon said there remains uncertainty about how long the upcoming arctic outbreak will last. It could be a three day event, she said, compared to the arctic blast last year that held out for more than a week.
“At this point, the computers models are showing this arctic weather pattern may breakdown on Wednesday for Southern B.C..,” Gordon said. “However, the cold will likely linger longer across Northern B.C. Stay tuned, we will refine this in the days to come.”
Snow on the way
The national weather and climate agency is projecting snow to begin as light flurries on Saturday, varying by temperature and elevation. Two to four centimetres of snow could accumulate, it said, but in Metro Vancouver likely only at higher elevations.
Lower elevations should be watching for wet flurries, showers and even a risk of freezing rain.
Saturday night and into Sunday, it projects an arctic front from the B.C. Interior will move across the South Coast, delivering “a period of heavy flurries.”
“Currently, there is still large uncertainty associated with the timing of this system. Recent model guidance indicates total snowfall amounts near 10 centimetres are likely for the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, and the Sea to Sky highway,” Environment Canada said.
“Near five centimetres of snow are possible over Metro Vancouver.”
Strong outflow winds on Sunday are also forecast to bring bone-chilling temperatures, five to 10 degrees below the seasonal average.
Motorists heading in or out of the Lower Mainland could also face significant challenges on the road.
Environment Canada issued a winter storm watch for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt, with up to 20 centimetres of snow possible before Sunday afternoon.
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“Accompanying the arctic front, period of strong outflow winds will result in low visibilities Saturday night due to blowing snow,” it warned.“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”
It also issued a snowfall warning for the Fraser Canyon south, including Lytton.
“For southern sections of the Fraser Canyon, snow will start on Saturday and intensify in the afternoon,” it said.
“Total snowfall amounts near 10 up to 15 centimetres are expected over areas south of Lytton by early Sunday morning. Areas north of and including Lytton will receive 5 to 10 cm of snow.
Lower Mainland residents are being advices to keep close tabs on updated weather forecasts and alerts throughout the weekend.
The City of Vancouver issued its own bulletin Friday, asking residents to “undertake essential travel and to take safety precautions if they need to drive.”
The city says it is activating its snow and ice plan, which prioritizes major roads and bus routes, bridges and major streets near hospitals along with the four most used pedestrian pathways and 16 most used bike routes.
Residents are also being urged to clear snow from their walkways before it hardens to ice and to ensure their vehicles have winter tires.
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