March may be around the corner, but winter isn’t over yet on the mountainous highways connecting the Lower Mainland to B.C.’s interior. Things are getting chilly in the Vancouver forecast, too.
As Metro Vancouver dries out from a rainy weekend, there is snow in the forecast for the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued two highway alerts for snowfall warnings in the Skagit Valley, as well as the corridors between Hope and Merritt, and Hope and Princeton.
Between 15 and 20 centimetres of the white stuff is supposed to fall by Monday afternoon.
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“A convective system will bring periods of snow today,” stated ECCC online. “Snowfall totals could possibly exceed 15 to 20 cm locally, and will mainly impact communities at or above 700 metres of elevation.
“Travel will likely be challenging. Roads and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will likely be reduced at times.”
ECCC added that the mountain weather could change suddenly, which may lead to hazardous driving conditions.
“Adjust to winter driving behaviour and use winter tires and chains,” posted the weather agency.
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ECCC meteorologist Matt Loney told Daily Hive that a “fairly active system” passed through Metro Vancouver over the weekend.
“In the past 48 hours, around 24 mm of rain fell in downtown Vancouver by the harbour. Pitt Meadows received 20 mm, while YVR got 22 mm, and Coquitlam had 26 mm.
“The local ski hills also got 60 cm of snow over the weekend.”
Loney also shared that a cooler, modified North Pacific airmass will be sinking south this week, with daytime temperatures close to normal, but cooler temperatures at night.
ECCC
“A warm front is coming in on Wednesday, bringing in rain, but a cold front will follow closely after on Thursday,” the meteorologist added. “Rain intensity may be higher on Thursday.”
The Vancouver forecast has a mix of sunshine and rain over the next seven days, with highs hovering between 9°C and 11°C and lows down to -1°C as February comes to an end.
If you’re looking for some ideas on how to escape the rain and cold this week, check out our list of 20 fun things to do in Vancouver from Monday, Feb. 23, to Sunday, March 1.
Fill your schedule with the Vancouver International Mountain Film Fest, BC Gin Fest, and more.