A winter storm warning was issued this morning (Wednesday) for Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky – West Vancouver Upper Levels to Squamish regions by Environment Canada.
Hazardous winter conditions are expected.
An intense Pacific warm front will arrive this afternoon. The front will move in from the south and spread warmer, moist air over the colder Arctic air still in place at the surface.
Snow will start falling this afternoon and become heavier into the evening. As the warm air establishes itself, there will be a good chance of freezing rain followed by significant rainfall overnight Wednesday and Thursday.
The transition to rain is expected earliest along the immediate coast. Further inland, snow will persist longer and the risk of freezing rain will increase. As a result, snowfall amounts will vary considerably across the region, from 5 to 15 cm near the coast to 20 cm or more inland.
Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
