South coast braces for major snowfall

Environment Canada is warning that "significant snowfall" is expected in the Lower Mainland, with 10-20 centimetres likely across the region overnight Saturday.

The storm is forecast to reach Vancouver Island on Saturday afternoon and will move toward the Sunshine Coast and Lower Mainland in the evening.

The east coast of Vancouver Island will be at greatest risk of receiving heavy snow, as it will likely be subject to the strongest onshore southeasterly and easterly winds.

Strong winds creating blizzard conditions are also expected over northern Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley Saturday night.

The cold snap will continue to cancel the Albion Ferry, which connects Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on the north side of the Fraser River with Langley and Surrey on the south side.

Sailings were suspended Saturday morning after it was decided ice would make it unsafe to navigate the Fraser.

In Vancouver, crews were out all day salting roads in preparation for the impending storm. City trucks will also be deployed through the night.

The storm is being caused by a Pacific frontal system colliding with existing Arctic air.

It's estimated wind-chill values could plunge as low as -20 degrees over the weekend.