Up to 5 cm of snow expected by Saturday morning in Metro Vancouver

Dec 19 2017, 8:59 pm

UPDATE: Environment Canada has declared a snowfall warning for Metro Vancouver. Snowfall is occurring; up to 5 centimetres is expected to fall over the region by Saturday morning.

EARLIER:

Frigid arctic air meeting moisture could bring snow to the Lower Mainland on Friday night through Saturday morning.

According to Environment Canada, a strong high pressure system over the interior of the province is pushing arctic air south through the Fraser Canyon and mainland inlets into the South Coast. Winds will pick up tonight when the leading edge of the cold, dense outflowing air arrives and causes temperatures to rapidly decrease.

Temperatures in the Metro Vancouver region will drop to a low of -2°C, but with windchill it will feel like -9°C. Accumulations of between 2 to 4 centimetres of light, low-density snow is expected, although higher amounts could be experienced at upper elevations such as communities in the North Shore Mountains.

Brief blizzard-like conditions may also develop in blizzard prone areas of the Lower Mainland such as Sumas Prairie. Between 5 to 10 centimetres could fall in the Fraser Valley overnight.

Up in the mountains, an arctic outflow warning is in effect from Whistler to the southern end of Howe Sound. At Whistler, strong winds will combine with cold temperatures to provide wind chill values of -20°C tonight and Saturday morning. Winds in Howe Sound are expected to pick up to 70 km/h with gusts reaching 90 km/h.

Over on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, local snow streams (similar to lake effect snow) could cause very significant snow accumulations, between 5 to 10 centimetres, over small distances from the Straight of Georgia.

The current forecast indicates freezing temperatures will remain in the South Coast until the middle of next week.

5 steps to control your car when it begins to skid

  1. Don’t panic, take your foot off the accelerator.
  2. Don’t slap on the brakes as it could lead into a tailspin. If you must use the brakes, tap on it only gently.
  3. Turn the steering wheel towards the direction the rear end of the car is moving, but don’t overcompensate with the steering.
  4. If the car rear begins to fishtail towards the other side, steer towards that direction but do it gently.
  5. Repeat these steps until you have corrected the skidding.

How to drive safely in snow

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Feature Image: Alexis Birkill Photography

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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