It's a snow day: Lower Mainland school districts close as white flakes keep falling

It’s like Christmas in February for kids across the Lower Mainland, as all districts close schools for a snow day.

School districts from Hope to Vancouver announced the closures Tuesday – some for the second day in a row – as a snowfall warning remains in effect.

Environment Canada forecasts another 10 to 15 centimetres of the white stuff to blanket the Metro Vancouver and up to 25 centimetres in the Fraser Valley. The snow is expected to gradually taper off by late afternoon.

TransLink is urging riders to plan ahead and be prepared for longer-than-usual wait times along all major bus routes, as well as along the SkyTrain.

WATCH: Snowstorm brings chaos to Lower Mainland roads

When you see that Snow Day notification pop up on the #AbbySchools app… ðŸ™Œ
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Due to the current weather conditions, all schools and district buildings are CLOSED for Tuesday, February 12, 2019. Updates will be provided on our web & social media pages, as needed. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/McbC3pZSPr

— Abbotsford Schools (@AbbotsfordSD) February 12, 2019

Vancouver International Airport said in a statement that passengers should check with their airline ahead of arriving at YVR, and arrive early.

Schools in Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands are also closed for the day.

For full details on school closures in your city, visit your local Black Press Media community outlet.

Island, Kootenays also bracing for snow

Snowfall alerts are also in effect for East Vancouver Island, the west Kootenays and the Elk Valley.

Environment Canada said Tuesday that a second weather pattern moving in mid-morning will spread snow to virtually the entire south coast, bringing 5 to 10 centimetres in east and west regions of the Vancouver Island.

Sparwood is expected to get total accumulations of 10 to 15 centimetres of snow, Environment Canada said, with Fernie seeing the brunt of the storm with 25 to 35 centimetres.

Along Highway 3, between the Paulsom Summit to the Kootenay Pass will see up to 25 centimetres into the evening.

@ashwadhwani ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.