YVR prepares for more winter weather
Posted January 18, 2024 8:02 am.
Crews at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) say they “have been working around the clock” to prepare for more winter weather.
According to YVR, its teams have been clearing the airfield of snow and ice, as another blast of winter conditions is expected to hit the Metro Vancouver region Thursday.
On Wednesday, YVR saw delays and cancellations due to the weather. However, in an update issued around noon on Jan. 17, the airport said about 80 per cent of scheduled flights were operating. It noted many of the changes to the schedule were made by airlines proactively in anticipation of the storm, which brought blankets of snow to the area.
While a snowfall warning officially ended for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Wednesday evening, there could be more wintery weather on the way with precipitation later Thursday.
CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says “it’s not over yet.”
“There’s still a messy mix of weather on the way through the evening,” he said Thursday morning.
“We are going to see the precipitation slowly track in from the south and southwest. … [going] to see some sprinkles and light flurries around the area. The potential is there for freezing rain, especially in eastern Metro Vancouver and then lingering out in the Valley where those ice secretions could be more substantial as that period of freezing rain lasts longer.”
YVR is urging travellers to plan ahead and check the status of their flight before they head to the airport. In addition, people are reminded to give themselves plenty of time getting to the airport, with many roads still covered in snow and ice from the day before.
Meanwhile, a freezing rain warning is in place for the Fraser Valley, including Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope, adding further to concerns on local roadways.
Listen to CityNews 1130 for weather updates after traffic every 10 minutes on the ones. You can also follow Meteorologist Michael Kuss on X and subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
-With files from Charlie Carey
