According to another special weather statement issued by Environment Canada, Metro Vancouver will likely see its first dusting of snow tonight.
The special weather statement notes that B.C.'s South Coast has the potential for snow tonight (Jan. 9) and Friday morning. Later this evening, a low tracking south along the B.C. coast will spread moisture into the Lower Mainland. With temperatures hovering near the freezing mark, a mix of rain or snow is forecast across the region.
While the snow is expected to change to rain near midday Friday, over 5 cm of snowfall could accummulate by the late morning.
This storm will also bring strong southeasterly winds to regions near the Strait of Georgia.
Special weather statement in effect for:
- Metro Vancouver - central including the City of Vancouver Burnaby and New Westminster
- Metro Vancouver - North Shore including West Vancouver and North Vancouver
- Metro Vancouver - northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
- Metro Vancouver - southeast including Surrey and Langley
- Metro Vancouver - southwest including Richmond and Delta
Vancouver Is Awesome spoke to Matt MacDonald, Meteorologist, Environment Canada, about what locals should expect later this evening and into tomorrow.
"We won't see the potential for snowfall until later tonight," explains MacDonald.
"But snowfall accummulations of 5 cm or more are possible in areas that are five to 10 km from the ocean. In areas with elevations 100 metres or more above sea level, we have the potential for 10 cm of snowfall or more."
MacDonald adds that the total snowfall amounts will depend on when the rain starts Friday. Nevertheless, he cautions, drivers should be prepared for a messy commute.
Environment Canada is also calling for the chance of snowfall every day over the next seven days.
More snow is possible this weekend as a series of weather systems embedded in a cool northwest flow from the Gulf of Alaska moves ashore. What's more, early next week, very cold arctic air from the B.C. Interior will arrive on the South Coast.
