Another snowstorm to slam Metro Vancouver; winter storm, travel warnings in place

Person carries broom while clearing car of snow — Heavy snowfall as seen in Vancouver, B.C. on Wednesday December 21st, 2022. (OMNI / CityNews Image)

Posted December 22, 2022 7:05 am.

Last Updated December 22, 2022 11:57 am.

For the third time this week, the Lower Mainland is expecting another major dump of snow.

A strong strong storm system hitting Thursday into Friday is expected to blanket the region, which will then be followed by freezing rain, ice pellets and finally, rain to wash everything away in the coming days.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a winter storm warning for B.C.’s South Coast, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

The weather service is warning of “hazardous” winter conditions, including heavy snow, ice pellets, freezing rain, and heavy rain on snow or ice.

“Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break,” ECCC says in its warning.

CityNews Meteorologist Carl Lam says we’re in for a rough couple of days.

“This looks very similar to the type of system that rolled in earlier this week and brought quite a bit of snow. So, I would not be surprised to see some areas picking up 20 to 30 centimetres of snow from this,” he explains. “And then you factor in the wind, it’s going to be difficult, if not impossible, to travel in those whiteout conditions on Friday morning. Then we change it over, possibly to some freezing rain which makes surfaces very slick and then it goes into rain as we head into Friday evening and continuing into Saturday.”

Got holiday travel plans? We’re tracking a system set to arrive on the coast on Friday (Dec 23) which could bring heavy snow, freezing rain & eventually rainfall. Travel will be challenging & potentially dangerous.#BCStorm @DriveBC
Alerts & forecasts: https://t.co/JxpkIPVBeY pic.twitter.com/EBvk6OV6vD

— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) December 21, 2022

Lam says if you have any errands to run or Christmas presents to buy, do everything during the day Thursday then go home, bunker down, and consider staying home on Friday.

He says Metro Vancouver will get soaked this weekend with as much as 40 millimetres of rain falling just to get us started, before more comes our way next week.

“Once the rain starts to fall, it makes any of the snow that’s fallen extremely heavy and then when we get into Saturday temperatures warm back up to our seasonal averages and then we’re going to have melting, so flooding could be a concern,” warns Lam.

The snow and rain are just one part of all of this — the cold is also a serious concern with a warning that parts of the Fraser Valley could dip to as low as -30 degrees.

Icy Lower Mainland roads

With temperatures remaining frigid across the region, some roads are covered with sheets of ice, creating dicy conditions for drivers Thursday.

Highway 1 through the Burnaby Lake stretch is one such road, with ice visible from 1,500 feet in the air.

“You can see big patches of it. We’re just over top of Gaglardi again here right now. Westbound, the traffic almost slows to a complete stop here for a second before it starts to move again. It looks like traffic is moving no more than about 40, 50 kilometres an hour until after Kensington, where it picks up again where the road looks a lot better,” Darren Grieve in the CityNews air patrol said just before 7 a.m.

Other problem areas include Highway 1 near Whatcom Road in Abbotsford, as well as many hills in and around Vancouver.

Mainland Lower Mainland Contracting, the organization in charge of clearing and maintaining much of the major highways in the Lower Mainland, is advising drivers to stay off the roads on Friday.

“There is a very high probability that all roadways in the Lower Mainland will become snow-covered this evening, then ice-covered throughout the day on Friday. Travel conditions will be treacherous. Highway closures are likely to occur.

“The public is advised not to use the roadways on Friday unless for emergency reasons.”

Mainland says that when temperatures begin to rise there will be an “extreme” risk of flooding, as snow is covering drains.

“Winter weather is unpredictable — be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and please drive to conditions. Ensure your vehicle is prepared with snow tires, a full tank or a full charge, and an emergency kit,” Mainroad says.

YVR responds

Things at Vancouver International Airport appear to very slowly be getting back to normal. The airport authority says flights are coming and going but travellers are still being warned to check with their airline before trying to catch their flight.

(YVR UPDATE 12:56 AM) Flights are steadily arriving and departing from YVR. As we work with our airline partners and airport community to get passengers on their way, travellers are encouraged to check latest flight information with their airline.

— YVR (@yvrairport) December 22, 2022

Things have been a chaotic mess at the airport this week due to the weather. Many people have spent one or more nights sleeping at the terminal after their flight was either cancelled or delayed, with some not knowing when they may get in the air to go home for the holidays. Frustrated people have been reduced to tears as many have told CityNews, they would like some answers from the airline or airport.

TransLink issues warning

As it has done previously this week, TransLink is asking people not to take transit unless it’s absolutely necessary.

The transit authority says riders should be prepared to wait longer than usual and there is reduced service for SkyTrain Thursday. Anyone hopping on the train or bus is being told to check their route status before heading out.

BC Hydro sets record

With much of the province under a winter storm warning, BC Hydro says it seeing records shatter for power consumption, adding it broke its second record this week when demand skyrocketed on Wednesday evening.

Record smashed! For the second time this week, electricity demand in #BC reached a new high. Yesterday evening between 5 and 6 p.m., peak hourly demand was over 10,900 megawatts – the highest ever recorded. See more: https://t.co/fh4qUOWsS3 pic.twitter.com/C9RdLfWXhP

— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 22, 2022

“Last night’s consumption was more than 15 per cent higher than the peak hourly demand recorded last Wednesday before the cold snap began.”

BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder says on Wednesday evening, preliminary numbers found consumption between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. reached over 10,900 megawatts – the highest ever recorded.

“Despite the significant increase, BC Hydro will continue to be able to meet demand for electricity across the province this winter because of its large integrated hydroelectric system. Residential electricity use is typically at its highest in the colder, darker winter months, which can lead to higher costs for some customers.”

The utility provider is asking people to avoid cranking the thermostat, keep your windows covered with blinds or curtains for an extra layer of insulation, and seal any drafts to avoid losing heat.

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