STORM CENTRE: Winter storm warning re-issued for Lower Mainland
Posted December 27, 2017 4:47 am.
Last Updated December 27, 2017 4:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Brace yourselves — hazardous winter conditions are expected for parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Environment Canada has re-issued winter storm warning for the region, affecting Surrey and Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope.
The forecaster has also issued a special weather statement for the Coquihalla Highway region between Hope and Merritt. Snowfall accumulations between five to ten centimetres are expected overnight, with more in the forecast for tomorrow. If you’re planning to be in that area, you’re urged to take extra care as roads are expected to be icy.
There have been no significant BC Hydro outages reported, however there are a number of flight delays into and out of Vancouver International Airport. Many of these flights are coming in from cities across Canada also dealing with some extreme weather conditions.
More cold on the way
Meteorologist Cindy Yu says a larger, low pressure system expected to hit the South Coast tomorrow is carrying more moisture.
“With that we are expecting periods of snow again tomorrow. Warmer air will flow over cooler land, and with that there is a risk of freezing rain, especially for the eastern sections of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.”
Environment Canada says a “significant layer of ice” is possible through Friday.
The provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says crews are standing by to clear highways and bridges.
“On the Port Mann Bridge, lane closures are in effect while rope access technicians are busy reloading snow collars to each of the bridge’s 288 cables,” reads a statement from the ministry.
“Maintenance crews continue to apply de-icer to the crossbeams on the Alex Fraser Bridge, are making frequent patrols of the provincial highway system, and have salt and brine stockpiles and snow plows ready to go as needed.”
Bob Gilowski with VSA Highway Maintenance suggests travellers may have an easier time heading inland.
“Our forecaster is not indicating a threat of freezing rain for the area that we are responsible for. In fact, temperatures are expected to remain cold for today and into tomorrow. At this point we are only expecting a very light snowfall — anywhere from 2 to 5 centimetres — throughout the Coquihalla Highway system.”
However Gilowski says drivers can expect compact snow on Highway 5 and Highway 97C and should be prepared to take a little more time to get to their destination.
Still snowing in South Surrey/White rock. Flakes have been getti g bigger this past half hour and sticking to the roads now. pic.twitter.com/kShw5Nf2ds
— grom land (@land_grom) December 27, 2017
