Winter conditions in Lower Mainland pose risk for slippery commute
Posted December 21, 2020 2:59 pm.
Last Updated December 21, 2020 6:47 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — With some of the year’s first snow falling around the Lower Mainland, drivers could be facing slippery roads on their afternoon commute.
Some routes are already getting slick and local police are reminding commuters to take precautions, while a snowfall warning had been in place for the Fraser Valley and parts of Metro Vancouver.
The Abbotsford Police Department’s Judy Bird says the snowfall varies across the city, so she asks drivers to be careful.
RELATED: First day of winter brings heavy rain, snow to Lower Mainland, warning for B.C. Interior
“Please make sure you give yourself a lot of time to get wherever you’re going. If you’re not comfortable driving in snow, or you don’t have snow tires on your vehicle, we ask that you please stay home or find yourself another way to get around today,” she tells NEWS 1130.
Wet roads do not make for ideal road conditions. Please drive with care and be aware of your surroundings. Always turn on your headlights and taillights during low visibility so other road users can see you. #SeeAndBeSeen #ShiftIntoWinter #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/UZyYhIZmzt
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) December 21, 2020
NEWS 1130’s Ryan Lidemark says Highway 1 was slippery with a combination of snow, rain, and slush.
“My advice to people is to take it easy out there,” he says, adding some vehicles didn’t have their lights on. “I think it’s a typical first day of snow and ice and people adjusting to that.”
Meanwhile, one caller to NEWS 1130 says she experienced a scary moment crossing the Port Mann.
Ravinder Bassi says she had her windshield badly damaged by falling snow and ice while crossing the Port Mann Bridge.
“I was just so frightened because it just happened like all of us that. All of a sudden as I’m just driving, I didn’t even expect it. It’s not snowing that hard out here it’s a mix of more so of rain, not even that much snow. So I didn’t even expect it. It was pretty frightening,” she says.
#BREAKING Scary moment for one of our listeners — she tells me her windshield has been badly damaged by an "ice bomb" while crossing the Port Mann Bridge. Listen @NEWS1130 for more.
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) December 21, 2020
Bassi says she had her kids in the car when the chunks of ice cracked off her windshield “into a million pieces.”
“My seven year old and she’s pretty frightened and she’s crying. The kids are pretty startled,” she says.
The RCMP temporarily shut down westbound lanes on the bridge, but they have since re-opened it to traffic.
Meanwhile, plows are hard at work and Metro Vancouver transit is already getting ready for the winter weather.
Darren Ell with Mainroad says his teams are patrolling the major routes as winter conditions set in around parts of Metro Vancouver.
“Give the crews lots of room when you drive past them,” he said. “They’re out trying to maintain the safety for the driving public. They’re out there for the drivers.”
Snowfall warning for Metro Vancouver. 2-5 cm. Also wind warning for Richmond & S. Delta. Snow ends late afternoon/evening. #BCStorm @NEWS1130 @mi_chelleyi pic.twitter.com/oAIgbQ9ZSb
— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) December 21, 2020
TransLink’s snowfall preparations are ready if needed, including coupling SkyTrain cars to maximize capacity and using heat and de-icers for train power rails. Bus routes can also change depending on the conditions in coordination with municipalities.
The transit authority adds COVID-19 measures will continue, so wearing a mask is still necessary during the colder months, while extra cleaning takes place.
Meanwhile, adverse conditions forced the closure of the Coquihalla Highway in both directions between Merritt and Hope Monday afternoon.
Listen live for traffic updates every 10 minutes on the ones. You can also follow us on Twitter @NEWS1130Traffic or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
You can also catch weather reports after traffic and follow Meteorologist Michael Kuss for the latest.
❄️ Let it snow! Here are some snaps from the North Shore from earlier this afternoon. What is the situation in your neighbourhood? Tweet us! https://t.co/UtMOYfJXhh pic.twitter.com/J6x1QZNOxt
— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) December 22, 2020
