Special weather statement remains in effect, multiple BC Highway alerts issued
The Special Weather Statement that was issued for Metro Vancouver yesterday remains in effect throughout Tuesday, December 19.
Environment Canada has updated the statement to include:
- City of Vancouver – including Burnaby and New Westminster
- Metro Vancouver – northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
- Metro Vancouver – southeast including Surrey and Langley
- Metro Vancouver – southwest including Richmond and Delta
- North Shore – including West Vancouver and North Vancouver
According to a release, “Rain is expected to change to snow later this morning and this afternoon over many parts of the mainland South Coast.”
What’s more, while snow is likely to hit the city today, flurries are also possible on Thursday, December 21, as colder temperatures are expected to take over for the rest of the week.
Environment Canada is forecasting 2 to 4 cm for higher elevations throughout Metro Vancouver. However, White Rock, Southeast Surrey and Langley could receive up to 10 cm total by this evening.
Due to the weather, BC Highway alerts are currently in effect for:
- Coquihalla Highway – Hope to Merritt
- Coquihalla Highway – Merritt to Kamloops
- Highway 3 – Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass
- Okanagan Connector – Merritt to Kelowna
It is currently 4.0°C in Vancouver with a low of 0°C expected tonight.
Environment Canada Special Weather Statement
The weather will become more wintery over the south coast this week.
A intensifying low pressure system will track across northern Washington State today, close to the B.C. border. This system is combining plentiful Pacific moisture with cool easterly winds near the surface.
Precipitation started as rain last night but cooler air wrapping in behind the low has caused precipitation to change to snow over higher parts of Victoria, Inland Vancouver Island and East Vancouver Island early this morning. Rain is expected to change to snow later this morning and this afternoon over many parts of the mainland South Coast.
Snowfall warnings are in effect for Greater Victoria, Inland Vancouver Island, East Vancouver (southern two thirds) and the Fraser Valley. Total snowfall amounts at higher elevations in these regions will range from 10 to 15 cm by tonight.
Lesser amounts are expected over most of Metro Vancouver with 2 to 4 cm forecast for higher elevations. But with this particular storm, White Rock, Southeast Surrey and Langley will be favoured areas for snow and may get up to 10 cm total by this evening.
Precipitation will ease tonight and a break in the weather is expected Wednesday. Much of the snow that falls today will probably melt on Wednesday.
A little snow is likely Thursday as an Arctic front drops down from the BC Interior. Gusty Arctic outflow winds will develop Friday over the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound.
The Arctic front will usher in colder air, but not record breaking cold, for the rest of the week. Overnight lows on the weekend will drop to between minus 3 and minus 10 across the South Coast. Daytime highs on the weekend will struggle to get above the freezing mark. But there will be plenty of sunshine.
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