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'Hazardous winter conditions' expected: Winter storm warning for Metro Vancouver

Tuesday's snowfall was just a preview - there's much more on the way Wednesday ❄️❄️❄️

Another round of wintry weather is on its way for Metro Vancouver and Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region for Wednesday, Jan. 5.

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Metro Vancouver, including the following areas: 

  • central including the City of Vancouver Burnaby and New Westminster
  • North Shore including West Vancouver and North Vancouver
  • northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
  • southeast including Surrey and Langley
  • southwest including Richmond and Delta

"Hazardous winter conditions are expected," cautions the national weather agency.

The main snow event is set to begin Wednesday evening, thanks to a low pressure system that will spread heavy snow across B.C.'s south coast region.

Metro Vancouver could see 10 to 20 cm of snow, with up to 30 cm possible in the Howe Sound and Fraser Valley.

Snow is expected to fall overnight, transitioning to rain Thursday in most areas, however, the Fraser Valley is likely to receive freezing rain or continued snow Thursday. Freezing rain is possible in some parts of eastern Metro Vancouver Thursday.

"Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous," Environment Canada cautions.

forecast-jan-5-2022-vancouver-bc
Forecast for Metro Vancouver for seven days starting Weds. Jan. 5, 2022. Environment Canada

Wednesday's Vancouver forecast calls for a high of 2 C with a 40 per cent chance of flurries during the day, shifting to 0 C overnight and heavy snow.

Rain is in the forecast for much of the rest of the week, though currently, Saturday could bring a chance of flurries to the region.