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It’s the first major winter storm of the season for BC’s South Coast region. Check back for updates on road conditions, cancellations and closures
Heavy snow falls as a man jogs along a path in Central Park in Burnaby, BC, Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Photo by DARRYL DYCK Darryl Dyck, The C /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are being pummeled by a blizzard at the rate of several centimeters per hour.
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Get out your snow shovel, boots and gloves because Wednesday morning is going to be intense.
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Environment Canada has a weather advisory that remains in effect predicting “significant” snowfall that began early Tuesday afternoon and is not expected to last until Wednesday morning. Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton says Wednesday morning will be “an absolute disaster.”
Check back for more weather updates. Scroll to the bottom of the story for tips on coping with the snow and cold.
The Alex Fraser Bridge is closed as TransLink service is down
The Alex Fraser Bridge is closed in both directions due to multiple vehicle incidents. This bridge connecting Richmond and New Westminster with North Delta is expected to be closed for some time.
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Drive BC has also issued widespread travel advisories for roads on the South Coast and beyond on Tuesday.
Drivers were warned to expect wintry conditions on the Trans-Canada from West Vancouver to Hope, the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt and highways 17 and 99 from the ferries through the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
The warnings will be in effect until at least Thursday for much of the region.
On Metro, there are several TransLink issues, with no buses running through UBC.
Follow TransLink on Twitter for the latest advisories for motorists.
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Drivers on sections of Highway 91 are blocked.
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Power outages begin
The heavy snowfall also comes with strong winds and this is causing power outages. At 8:30 p.m. there were more than 34,000 homes without electricity.
This includes 18,316 north of Vancouver Island and 10,466 south of Vancouver Island. A regional alert has been issued for northern Vancouver Island due to multiple (151) outages. Due to ferry cancellations, crews are unable to reach Hornby Island, Denman Island and Quadra Island.
There are 5,804 homes without power in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast.
Will there be a snow day tomorrow?
With any significant snowfall in Metro Vancouver, there is always the possibility of school closures. We will track districts Wednesday morning and update this list with public and post-secondary school closures.
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(Note: The link will not work unless there are closings announced on Wednesday morning.)
BC Ferries and YVR flights have been cancelled
Dozens of flights from Vancouver Airport and all major BC Ferries crossings were canceled Tuesday afternoon as snow began to fall in the Lower Mainland.
BC Ferries canceled all crossings from 3pm Tuesday between the mainland and Vancouver Island, including between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay in Victoria, Tsawwassen and Duke Point near Nanaimo, and Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay in Nanaimo. B.C
YVR’s departures list showed nearly three dozen canceled flights for Air Canada, WestJet and other airlines as snow began to pile up Tuesday afternoon. Many other flights bound for Vancouver were also cancelled. Monitor the YVR website and check with your airline if you were planning to travel tonight or tomorrow.
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UBC will make a decision on whether to open at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday
Simon Fraser University is closing its Burnaby Mountain campus due to deteriorating weather conditions at 5:30 p.m. The Vancouver and Surrey campuses remained open Tuesday evening.
The University of BC said while snow is also falling, campus operations remain normal. UBC said it would update the plan at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday
Langara College, BCIT and Vancouver Community College said Tuesday that those campuses remain open.
How much snow will we have?
Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton says up to 8 inches of snow will fall on the Lower Mainland over a 12-hour period.
North Vancouver, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge are expected to get the heaviest snowfall, with up to 20 cm predicted by Environment Canada, while Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford could get between 10 and 15 cm of snow .
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The North Shore mountains could get up to 50 cm of snow. Whistler is also expected to get a massive dump.
Areas south of the Fraser River, such as Delta and White Rock, will be spared the brunt of the impact and will likely see about 10 cm of snow.
Vancouver Weather Forecast: Snow, Rain, Wind… More Snow?
The snow is expected to taper off to rain or blizzard conditions Wednesday morning in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley east to Abbotsford. In areas farther east, however, the snow is expected to taper off Wednesday afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing on Wednesday, so there will be plenty of snow that will likely cause power outages.
Temperatures will cool again on Thursday, with some light showers or flurries.
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Hamilton is forecasting another snow event for Friday, which could also be significant.
“It’s not a given,” Hamilton said. “We’re probably going to see a couple of snowfalls this week.”
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Winter weather tips and tricks
Watch: Snow Shovel Safety Tips
Before you put on your winter woolens and grab that snow shovel, watch this video for tips on how to safely clear that driveway.
We apologize, but this video could not be loaded.
5 tips to stay upright when walking on ice
1. Walk like a penguin when the road is icy: point your feet out and relax your knees. Keeping your arms out to your sides for balance, walk slowly and flat-footed, taking short steps.
2. Put cat litter in your pockets or a zip-top bag: If you’re faced with icy walks, icy steps or slippery slopes, sprinkle litter to improve traction. Sand works too. Avoid commercial defrosters, which should be handled with gloves.
3. Get out your ski poles – they’re a great way to add stability when you’re walking. Check the garage, there’s almost always a set of ski poles lying around. Buy ice picks if you use a rod.
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4. Side step: If your path looks icy, you can get better traction by walking on snow or grass. If you have to climb into packed snow to get into your car, keep a good grip on the door.
5. Choose footwear with winter treads made of natural rubber: avoid dress shoes with smooth soles and save high-heeled boots, they can be deadly. Wear a long, thick coat to cushion your fall.
— Postmedia files
6 tips for safe winter driving
Drivers who plan to travel by car in snowy conditions should pack an emergency medical kit that includes a supply of food, water and warm blankets. You should also have a shovel, ice brush, and brush in your vehicle at all times.
Here are some other winter driving tips:
• Remove all snow and ice from your car’s windows, taillights and headlights before you leave.
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• Go slowly. Never accelerate in winter conditions. Give yourself extra time.
• Gradual starts and stops are the way to go when traveling in snow. Never hit the brakes. Instead, hit the brakes or downshift, coming to a gradual stop. This will prevent skidding and rear ends.
• Avoid sudden accelerations. Stepping on the gas pedal causes the wheels to spin in the snow, often causing the car to get stuck. Avoiding complete stops can help drivers avoid getting stuck in the snow.
• Never attempt to advance a snowplow unless you are sure it is completely safe.
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— Postmedia files