More snow for B.C.’s South Coast while North Coast faces Arctic outflow

More snowfall is in the forecast for parts of British Columbia’s South Coast after heavy snow battered the region earlier in the week.

As of Sunday morning, Environment Canada says flurries are possible in the Lower Mainland but are expected to wrap up early afternoon. The rest of the week is expected to be clear, with showers possible on Saturday.

An arctic outflow warning is in effect for the Sea to Sky between Squamish and Whistler, Howe Sound, and Pemberton. Cold wind chill is expected overnight Sunday extending into Tuesday around noon.

“A combination of low temperatures and strong outflow winds will give wind chill values near minus 20 during the overnight and morning hours,” Environment Canada said.

“Temperatures will rise on Tuesday afternoon.”

In other parts of the South Coast, the weather agency says a low-pressure system is creating “bands of flurries” over Vancouver Island, with accumulation exceeding 5 centimetres possible in some areas.

It is warning travellers to allow for extra time in their planning as driving conditions may change rapidly.

Environment Canada is also warning of an Arctic outflow in parts of B.C.’s North Coast including Terrace and Kitimat, where cold temperatures and strong winds will combine for wind chill values approaching – 20 C overnight and during mornings.

Residents in the region are asked to limit outdoor activity and shelter pets and animals that are typically outdoors.

The recent frigid weather that brought heavy snow in B.C. and shuttered some schools led to daily low temperature records being broken Friday in communities such as Abbotsford, where temperatures dipped to – 11 C — three degrees lower than the previous record set in 1989.

Communities such as Hope, Sechelt, and Gibsons also saw their daily low records fall, with Hope’s – 8.6 C breaching a mark set in 1948.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2025.

With files from Emma Crawford.