Snowfall Warning Issued for B.C.’s Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky Highway

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for parts of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and the Sea to Sky Highway, anticipating a wintry mix that will impact Metro Vancouver.

The warning encompasses the Fraser Valley and areas like Whistler, where up to 25 centimetres of snow is expected. In Metro Vancouver communities such as North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Maple Ridge, about five centimetres of snow is forecasted to start falling in the late afternoon.

Lisa Erven, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, explained that the cold air mass covering a wide area is expected to affect various communities throughout Metro Vancouver.

Approximately 30 Main Road trucks and nearly 100 staff members are being deployed in preparation for the snowfall.

According to Darren Ell, General Manager of Main Road Lower Mainland Contracting, resources will be adjusted as needed during the storm.

The weather agency also caution drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler to be vigilant for reduced visibility and potentially hazardous driving conditions due to heavy snowfall.

Forecasts indicate up to 20 centimetres of snow accumulation in the Howe Sound region, including Squamish, and 10 centimetres in the Fraser Valley area near Hope.

A winter storm watch is in effect for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt and Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton.

Other areas under winter storm watches include Highway 3 from Grand Forks to Creston and Highway 1 from Sicamous to Golden.

With files from CTV News Vancouver‘s Kevin Charach.