Some flights out of YVR delayed, cancelled during fog

Heavy fog in the Lower Mainland is affecting flights in and out of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

A fog advisory was issued Wednesday night for parts of the Lower Mainland for the second time in as many days.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says “near zero visibility” fog is expected to cover Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster through Thursday midday.

1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss explains the fog will remain a significant factor for low-lying and coastal areas, similar to Wednesday.

“As was the case yesterday, temperatures ranged from along the coast of YVR from four degrees yesterday to as hot as 10 degrees in Abbotsford, where the sun was out — it was a gorgeous day yesterday,” he explained.

“Today that fog is going to linger in those low-lying spots and close to the coast through the morning, but we’ll finally break as we get into the afternoon.”

Kuss says the “stagnant air mass” currently over the region means “more fog.”

“I love the wording in the advisory here, it says visibility may be significantly and, most importantly, suddenly reduced to near zero. And we’ve had that zero visibility in pockets across the Lower Mainland, not only for a good chunk of yesterday, but it will likely linger through the morning hours today,” Kuss explained.

“We’ve had reports of visibility at zero kilometers, and that’s as low as it can go — you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Of course, that’s affecting flights at the airport, and we’re not going to see that fog break until this afternoon. We’ll be out of the foggy pattern starting later today, and it looks like all the way through the weekend.”

YVR says conditions in Vancouver are one of a few seasonal weather events impacting flights around Canada Wednesday, including heavy snow in Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL), and more fog in Calgary (YYC).

The airport declined to say how many flights had been cancelled but said there have been “delays of varying lengths and some cancellations.”

Travellers are reminded to check their flight schedules with their respective airlines and allow extra time to get to YVR.

Listen live to 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver every 10 minutes on the ones for weather updates. You can also follow @NewsRadioVAN and Meteorologist Michael Kuss on X and subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.