Snow hits parts of B.C. Tuesday, cold expected to remain through the week
Transportation ministry urging drivers to be ready for snowy, slushy conditions on Metro Vancouver roads
A quickly descending Pacific frontal system brought frigid temperatures and snow to British Columbia Tuesday evening, with cold weather expected to remain until Friday.
In the Lower Mainland, Coquitlam, Burnaby Mountain and parts of the Fraser Valley have already seen some snow overnight on Tuesday.
"For Vancouver, that will mean afternoon highs that stay around the freezing mark and overnight lows that could get down below –6 C," said CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe.
Temperatures across B.C. are expected to remain five to 15 degrees below seasonal through the end of the week, said Wagstaffe.
Snow lovers can take a hike...<br><br>Up Burnaby Mountain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SFU</a> <a href="https://t.co/qLzxDzgM2q">pic.twitter.com/qLzxDzgM2q</a>
—@ensembleator
Mail delivery and school bus services were cancelled in Prince George Tuesday after the region received more than 30 centimetres of snow in 24 hours.
Strong winds in southern parts of Howe Sound will continue Wednesday morning through Thursday morning. Environment Canada warns gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour may result in power outages and fallen tree branches.
Up to 15 centimetres of snow now is expected to accumulate Wednesday on East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Blowing snow in Nanaimo @ 8:25am this morning ⛄️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/windy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#windy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/snow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#snow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCStorm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCStorm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/winter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#winter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShareYourWeather?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShareYourWeather</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VancouverIsland?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VancouverIsland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canada</a> 🇨🇦 <a href="https://t.co/ccHq4MQrJY">pic.twitter.com/ccHq4MQrJY</a>
—@TrishaMD73Highway and road warnings
The Coquihalla highway saw a heavy snowstorm Monday into Tuesday morning, tapering off to flurries in the evening.
With snow possibly persisting into Wednesday and more winter weather on the way for the weekend, B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation is urging drivers to be ready for snowy and slushy conditions on Metro Vancouver roads.
"The ministry's snow and ice technicians will keep an eye on conditions at the Port Mann and Alex Fraser bridges and will mobilize if there is accumulation on bridge cables," the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Drivers are also reminded to avoid unnecessary travel during this period and to prepare for delays and longer commute times.
The return of milder air next weekend will likely come with significant snow for the South Coast before changing over to rain early next week, according to Wagstaffe.
"Confidence in how much [snow] and timing will grow as we get closer to Saturday, but one thing is for sure — do not take the snow tires off yet," she said.
Meanwhile, extreme cold warnings have been issued for parts of northern B.C., Yoho-Kootenay Park and Elk Lake region, with wind chill expected to make it feel as cold as –40 C.