‘Heavy snow’ expected for B.C.’s South Coast this weekend

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for parts of B.C.’s South Coast, calling for anywhere between 10 and 30 centimeters of snow to come down this weekend.

The statement covers all of Metro Vancouver, as well as the Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, Sea the Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler, and Howe Sound.

Heaviest snow will fall late afternoon Saturday into early Sunday morning. Looking more like widespread 10-20 cm snow event for the Lower Mainland. If will be record setting. #Snow #Cold @CityNewsVAN #BCStorm #winter pic.twitter.com/AV5h0e3hGV

— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) February 24, 2023

“A significant weather system will push across the South Coast this weekend bringing widespread snow to the region. Periods of light snow will start on Saturday and intensify to heavy snow Saturday night. Heavy snow is expected to ease Sunday morning for most regions,” the statement reads.

However, it adds that there is “some uncertainty associated with the exact snowfall amounts.”

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CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says as usual, the amount of snow areas will receive depends on where exactly you are.

“The arctic air is still locked in place, although with the sun, it feels nicer Friday afternoon. That sun goes away tomorrow [but] it’s still way below average and below freezing into the afternoon on Saturday and the Pacific system is moving in, and that’s going to bring precipitation, and that precipitation is going to fall mainly as snow,” he said.

Kuss believes snow will begin around 8 or 9 a.m., with heaviest flakes falling mid-afternoon Saturday.

“It does look like more of an afternoon and evening event though to 3 p.m. when we will really get that precipitation ramping up, and that could last to around 10 p.m. before tapering off through the overnight, and wrapping up by daybreak if not before that on Sunday,” he said.

Not enough resources for unhoused folks during winter weather events: Pastor

With heavy winter weather on the way to the region, one pastor in the Fraser Valley says it’s not easy for folks who don’t have a roof over their head.

“We don’t have enough resources available to meet the needs of our ever exponentially growing homeless population, which is no longer simply folks struggling with addiction or mental health, but we’re now just seeing an abundant number of just your average-type folks who aren’t struggling with those types of issues,” Pastor Ward Draper told CityNews.

Draper, with Five and Two Ministries in Abbotsford, has been helping unhoused folks for about 20 years and says it’s not uncommon to now see seniors, including those in their 80s, on the street.

He notes the situation is even becoming tougher for those like him who are out supporting folks in need.

“Over the years, I’ve just seen an increase of colleagues and co-workers, or other partners in these industries you know, falling back on to things like drinking every night, not always to excess, but they get home, they’re having drinks, they’re having edibles, you know, they’re just trying to cope because we spend more of our time now saying no than saying yes,” he explained.

Even though the demographic has changed, Draper says the needs of the community are still the same.

“I’ve seen families living in tents in Sumas over the last number of years. Like, the demographics have shifted so dramatically, it’s horrifying. And we’re seeing new problems emerging that we had never really conceived of,” he said.

Do you need to be out on the roads Saturday?

Meanwhile, Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting has also chimed in with a weather event advisory, also calling for up to 20 centimeters of snow in the Lower Mainland, adding there could be up to 30 centimeters in some areas.

The contractor says crews are preparing to work around the clock to keep the roads clear, and the snow and ice program will be in effect at the Port Mann Bridge and Alex Fraser Bridge.

Winter isn’t over yet ~ with snow on the way this wknd, crews are treating Service Area Roads as conditions warrant.

Our winter toolkit incl. use of liquid anti-icing brine, granulated salt & winter sand.

Learn more https://t.co/Zojy665aK6 @TranBC_LMD #ShiftintoWinter #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/jkwmAFHBAA

— Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting (@MainroadLM) February 24, 2023

However, General Manager Darren Ell is asking rivers to assess whether they actually need to be out on the roads at all if the snow starts piling up.

“If you have to be on the road during the snow event, make sure your car or truck or vehicle is adequately equipped for winter events. You know, it’s got proper snow tires, it’s got proper wiper blades, you’ve got wiper fluid in your vehicle, as well as having your tank topped up,” he told City News.

TransLink is also preparing for the snow, saying its staff are continually monitoring the weather and coordinating with local municipalities on snow-clearing efforts.

It says extra staff will be called in as needed, and the longer articulated buses may be replaced by shorter, conventional buses depending on the route.

Environment Canada adds that drivers should be prepared for “challenging travel conditions Saturday night to Sunday,” with Mainroad advising drivers to stay home if they don’t “absolutely need to travel.”