Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for portions of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, as a wintry mix sets the stage for a potentially messy evening commute in Metro Vancouver.
The advisory extends to the Fraser Valley and the Sea to Sky Highway, with Whistler anticipated to receive up to 25 centimeters of snow.
In areas like North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Maple Ridge, approximately five centimeters of snowfall is expected to commence in the late afternoon.
“The cold air mass in place is over a very wide area. So, these weather conditions are expected, or at least have the potential, to impact essentially all of our communities through Metro Vancouver,” said Lisa Erven.
She warned preparedness meteorologists with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Approximately 30 Main Road trucks and nearly 100 staff members have been mobilized in preparation for the upcoming snowfall event.
“Everyone gets deployed equally across the board in advance of the storm, but then as the storm plays out were move resources around as required,” said Darren Ell, General Manager of Main Road Lower Mainland Contracting.
Environment Canada is cautioning drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler. That’s because of reduced visibility and potentially hazardous driving conditions caused by heavy snowfall.
The warning predicts up to 20 centimeters of snow accumulation in the Howe Sound region. That include Squamish, and 10 centimeters in the Fraser Valley near Hope.
A winter storm watch is also active for the Coquihalla Highway. That’s right from Hope to Merritt and Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton. Forecasts indicate gusty winds and heavy snow continuing into Thursday.
Similar winter storm watches cover Highway 3 from Grand Forks to Creston and Highway 1 from Sicamous to Golden.
