Heavy snow on the way as Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley warm up

After days of an overnight windchill of -20 C in Vancouver, the deep freeze will soon be behind us. But as one extreme weather warning is set to end, another is taking its place.

CityNews weather specialist Denise Andreacchi says temperatures will warm up Wednesday, but the bitterly cold temperatures are being replaced by snow.

“The snow that is expected to move in will be the beginning of a shift in the temperature pattern here across the region. Slowly but surely temperatures are going to trend back up. More snow is expected tonight and the city will be a winter wonderland again by Thursday morning,” she said Wednesday.

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Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for Wednesday night through to Thursday for heavy snow.

The statement includes Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley but the Sunshine Coast, North Shore mountains, and parts of Vancouver Island could see heavier amounts. Most regions will see close to five centimetres accumulate rapidly within three to six hours overnight, which is likely to impact Thursday’s morning commute.

“Snow is moving in this evening. It will be heavy at times and five to 15 cm is expected. The higher accumulations are expected through some of those higher elevations along the coast and  parts of Vancouver Island. The snow will taper off Thursday morning,” Andreacchi said.

The River Rock Casino’s fountain froze in Richmond due to extreme cold in B.C. from an arctic outflow bringing unseasonal cold to the coastal areas. Dec. 28, 2021 (Courtesy: Natalie Fenton)

“It has been such a difficult week with regards to the weather,” she said, adding this won’t be the only round of snow on the way.

Ice floats on the Fraser River Tuesday as B.C. remains under an arctic outflow warning with chilly temperatures. Dec. 28, 2021 (Courtesy: Debojit Dhar)

“We are starting 2022 off with more snow expected Saturday. And as the cold weather pattern starts to stabilize this weekend we see an active weather pattern setting up in its place. Snow followed by rain and at times- both- Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It’s going to be very, very unsettled here.”

B.C.’s deep freeze has caused the Fraser River to partially freeze – a rare event in the Lower Mainland. Dec. 28, 2021 (Courtesy: Ashley Burr/CityNews)

B.C.’s homeless population at risk

With ongoing extreme cold weather gripping many parts of B.C., those experiencing homelessness are particularly at risk.

The Union Gospel Mission, which operates a shelter in Vancouver for around 90 people, has been at capacity every night for the past several days.

“This isn’t something that our population experiencing homelessness or precarious housing is particularly used to in the Lower Mainland and the results can be particularly fatal,” Nicole Mucci with the UGM said Tuesday.

“When folks are coming in for shelter intact, they do have cases of frostbite already. They’ll have red noses, their cheeks are painful,” Mucci explained, adding, with more snow on the way, there is growing concern for the vulnerable population.

“We do not want anyone spending more time in the cold than they need to,” she said.

Extra warming centres and shelters will remain open until at least Jan. 2, the City of Vancouver says.

For a list of shelters in B.C. click here. 

An extreme weather shelter has also been close to capacity in Langley.

The gym at the Douglas Park Community School been set up since Christmas to help people living on the street get out of the cold.

The site also has dog crates and food provided by the Langley Animal Protection Society to ensure pets are able to stay out of the cold and snow as well.

With files from Kier Junos