Special weather statement issued for Metro Vancouver ahead of wet snow

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for parts of Metro Vancouver ahead of snow expected to come down on Monday.

The federal weather authority said that heavy, wet snow is possible over higher elevations of southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland on December 21.

The statement is in effect for several areas including Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, and Maple Ridge.

A low pressure system is expected to bring “abundant moisture” to southern sections of the south coast, Environment Canada said. Precipitation is not expected to be as heavy for northern sections of Vancouver, and the snow level will likely only be above 200 metres.

“Areas with the heaviest precipitation will see the heavy rain switch over to heavy wet snow above about 150 metres during the day,” they said. “Mixed rain and snow is even possible at sea level.”

The statement doesn’t specify how much snow is expected to accumulate.