Mixed snow, rain across Lower Mainland in time for morning commute

Mixed snow and rain fell across many parts of the Lower Mainland Monday, just in time to threaten to complicate the morning commute.

Most local municipalities and the Ministry of Transportation and Highways prepared for the weather event overnight, with Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting telling CityNews Sunday that crews have been pre-treating roads and have activated the snow and ice program for the Port Mann bridge.

CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss said it’s best not to downplay the possibility of snow piling up, as “even a little bit of slush around the Lower Mainland could be a total disaster.”

“Although we’re not expecting or planning for a total disaster, you just have to be prepared, even [for] a centimeter or two of slushy conditions on the road,” he said.

Kuss explained snow could build up on softer surfaces before roadways.

“But I wouldn’t be shocked by slushy conditions over the next couple of hours and that’s through the morning drive,” he added.

Kuss said temperatures will be warming up, but not until the afternoon, when temperatures could rise to about two or three degrees, with the snow transitioning over to rain in all neighbourhoods, “with the exception of areas at higher elevations above two to 300 metres.”

“What we are looking at through the next 48 hours is warmer air, but longer-term, rain and snow is in the forecast and arctic air is building.”

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