Arctic air to settle over Lower Mainland bringing 10-20 cm of snow this weekend

Get the shovels out. Snow is heading to the Lower Mainland.

While Friday is on the warmer side of the incoming storm, 1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss says it’ll get windy into the afternoon when the rain tapers off and the arctic air starts to settle in over the region.

“The winds are going to be gusty into the start of the weekend, especially out in the [Fraser] Valley,” Kuss explained. “Now, we could see a couple of centimetres of snow in bursts.”

While there will be flurries, the consistent snowfall will come on Saturday and again early Sunday, Kuss says, “with the bullseye for a serious snow-maker coming in late Sunday into the Monday morning commute.”

Kuss says he won’t be surprised if the region sees somewhere between two and four centimetres of snow on Saturday.

Kuss explains the stronger system hitting the region late Sunday could create a snow day on Monday.

“If all the conditions set up the way it’s looking like they may, that comes in Sunday late afternoon and lingers into Monday morning,” he shared.

“I wouldn’t be shocked by 10 to 20 centimeters by Monday morning.”

Environment and Climate Change Canada has a special weather statement in effect for much of B.C.’s South Coast, explaining that a wintry mix of weather is set to hit over the next few days.

“Flurries and cold temperatures this weekend as arctic air invades the region and an upper low brings the moisture. Be advised for sudden reduction in visibility in convective flurries if travelling around the south coast this weekend. Accumulations are uncertain at this time as it will depend where the flurries develop but accumulating snow is likely in many areas this weekend. Warnings will be issued as necessary,” the national weather service stated.

As for next week, it’s time to get out those heavy winter jackets.

“Very cold and dry air is expected over the South Coast with outflow conditions from an arctic ridge of high pressure settling over the region. Temperatures will be 5 to 8 degrees Celsius below seasonal,” ECCC stated Friday.

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