LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS 1130) – It’s not expected to be quite as heavy as originally anticipated, but people have already been warned about snowfall across the region.
That means everyone should be as prepared as possible, although the most recent BCAA survey, from 2017, suggests most people will not do much to get ready for the winter weather, despite being in the know.
Meteorologist Russ Lacate says a spell of hazardous winter weather descends across the B.C. South Coast today, with arctic winds howling later tonight with speeds estimated between 50 to 90 kilometres per hour.
He notes it won’t be a full blown snow storm, but rather several hours of intermittent flurries.
The #snow is close, but so far hung up over the Straight of Georgia. Special Weather Statement for Metro #Vancouver remains in effect for minimal #snowfall accumulations today. Stay tuned for #arctic outflow & #snowfall updates throughout the morning. @NEWS1130 @BT_Vancouver pic.twitter.com/RrERfNFMvZ
— Russ Lacate (@NEWS1130Weather) February 8, 2019
The wind chills are expected to his the negative double-digits this weekend.
A special weather statement has been issued for the Metro Vancouver region, with snow accumulations expected to vary considerably across the south coast.
About two to four centimetres of snow accumulation are expected.
Hard to see… but very light snow has started to fall outside the @NEWS1130 building at Broadway and Ash #Vancouver @NEWS1130Weather pic.twitter.com/2FxwAbaMJq
— Jen Coles (@JenColesRadio) February 8, 2019
More snow is expected to fall the farther east you go into the Fraser Valley.
Meantime, wind warnings are in place for parts of the Lower Mainland.
Wind coupled with any possible falling snow at the time may mean there’s reduced visibility
The Fraser Valley and Howe Sound region — including the Sea to Sky — are also under arctic outflow warnings, which means people in these areas should watch for adverse weather conditions, Environment Canada says.
Preparations in place in anticipation of snowfall
Despite snow fall expected to be less severe than it has been in past years, many agencies say they’ve already prepared.
Though the snowfall isn’t expected to be quite as severe as it’s been in the past, the Ministry of Transportation isn’t taking any chances — it’s primed and ready.
The ice collars on both the Alex Fraser and Port Mann bridges are ready to swing into action at a moment’s notice, the ministry says.
“Last year, a cable collar system was installed on the Alex Fraser Bridge,” an email from the ministry reads. “This custom-designed system includes 10 collars, one stopper and one anchor on each of the bridge’s 192 cables.
It adds, “A similar system has been used successfully on the Port Mann Bridge since 2013. These cable collar systems allow crews to drop collars from the top of the bridge’s cables, to clear snow and ice from them.”
Extra crews are also on call.
FILE PHOTO: A worker is seen performing winter maintenance work on bridge cable collar systems in 2018. (Courtesy Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Meantime, TransLink is also prepared for snow.
“Anytime we see snow in the forecast, like we do now, we’re in constant contact with Environment Canada and we’ve stood up our snow plan, which means we’ve got extra staff out there,” Chris Bryan with the transit authority says.
“We’re also salting and sanding our transit exchanges and bus loops just to make sure it’s safe for everyone.”
Trolley wires and rails are also being taken care of, TransLink says.
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