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Snow is expected in parts of B.C.’s southwest Monday, and a winter storm warning is in effect in the province’s northeast.
On the South Coast, a low pressure system, which originated in Alaska, arrives today, bringing rain and snow in high-elevation areas through Monday night, according to a special weather statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“It’s not going to be very organized,” said Terri Lang, a meteorologist with the agency.
“But folks shouldn’t get too alarmed if they do see some wet flakes.”
The weather statement applies to Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast, where areas above 300 metres may see snowfall.
On Vancouver’s North Shore, snow is possible, but it probably won’t stick, Lang said, nor will it do much to improve the snow pack on the local ski slopes.
Many B.C. ski hills have struggled with a lack of snow this winter, but this low pressure system is “not your typical big snow maker,” she said.
“It doesn’t look like it’s going to accumulate much and it’s going to be … pretty hit and miss.”
However, mountains on Vancouver Island may benefit from a small dump of snow, as the weather system “scoots” its way down along the coast.
“Vancouver Island certainly looks like they should be able to pick up some precipitation and I think everybody will kind of get in on the action,” Lang said.
“But again, big snowfall amounts aren’t really expected.”
Peace region winter storm
A different weather system in the Peace River region, will bring more snow and near-zero visibility to Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge.
Northeasterly winds of 30 km/h, gusting up to 60 km/h, will blow snow and, at times, create sudden, white-out conditions.
Up to 25 cm of snow may fall by mid-Tuesday, according to the low-urgency, yellow weather warning from Environment Canada.
“Temperatures will plummet to the mid to low –20s [C] and wind chill values will drop to –35 to –40 tonight through Wednesday morning,” reads the Environment Canada warning.
It adds that roads and walkways will be difficult to navigate, and advises drivers to use their lights and go slowly.
