Latest snow to hit Vancouver should turn to rain by morning

A third wave of snow blanketed much of Metro Vancouver on Sunday, disrupting some services while some people tried to enjoy the wintry conditions while they last.

Around the region, there were stories of neighbours helping each other out by clearing sidewalks and neighbours' walkways — something they've gotten used to so far in December with multiple snow days.

In Burnaby Tim Savage shovelled the driveway of his 90-year-old neighbour who was grateful but says she is looking forward to the rain to melt it all away.

While a snowfall warning remains in effect for Metro Vancouver, temperatures are expected to warm overnight and turn precipitation into rain by Monday morning, according to Environment Canada.

"It was looking like we'd have a White Christmas," said Jennifer Hay with Environment Canada. "But we're warming up so we could see rain showers through Christmas."

Other parts of B.C. still face winter storm or wind warnings.

Meanwhile on Sunday, City of Vancouver crews were busy plowing and salting roads, although officials note the work was a lot easier because the latest snowfall happened on a weekend, when there is less traffic.

"We didn't have to deal with cars driving over snow and packing it," said Jim Clark with the city.

Still, Clark said it's been a busy December for crews.

"I've been putting in 15-hour days since this started and I'm really looking forward to having two or three weeks off," he said.

Vancouver property owners and tenants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks that surround their respective properties by 10 a.m. the morning following a snowfall.

There is a city program that connects volunteers to those unable to do that.

The city also asks residents to report snow that causes flooding, issues with transit shelter access, un-cleared sidewalks, and any other street maintenance issues. 

The City of Vancouver is opening up a third community centre overnight Sunday — after more than 50 people showed up at the two it opened the night before — to help people dealing with cold weather.

For much of Sunday there were delays on several bus routes, but by early evening those disruptions were minor. HandyDART continued to operate essential service for renal and cancer patients in all areas.

"TransLink's operations are monitoring the weather and are prepared for freezing temperatures and additional snowfall ahead of Monday's commute," said TransLink in a release.

"We remind all customers to dress for the elements, wear proper footwear and expect occasional service disruptions throughout the day."

• TransLink announces winter service changes

On Monday, 22 bus routes will change in the Tri-Cities to make way for the six new Millennium Line Evergreen stations. Other changes include the addition of a new B-Line on Hastings Street and route changes to the 5, 6 and the C23.

Simon Fraser University will hold exams on Monday, but not until 3:30 p.m. PT, after it was forced to put off the tests earlier this month due to snowy and slippery conditions on Burnaby Mountain.

The school says there are 28 exams sitting Monday and 28 Tuesday with 2,300 students writing each day across the school's three campuses.