Metro Vancouverites wake up to first widespread snowfall of the season

Residents of Metro Vancouver woke up to the first significant snow dump of the winter season on Sunday, with forecasters warning of further snow to come overnight.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued snowfall warnings for Metro Vancouver, western and central Vancouver Island and much of the Sunshine Coast, with special weather statements covering the rest of B.C.'s coast.

On the north and central coasts, an Arctic outflow warning warns of wind chill that will make it feel like –20 or –25 C until Tuesday.

In Metro Vancouver, Environment Canada says up to 20 centimetres of snow could fall in total, with the highest amounts expected at higher elevations.

"There looks like there's going to be a break [Sunday] afternoon," said Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau.

"Temperature is expected to rise just above freezing," she added. "So we could start to see some mixed precipitation as well [Sunday] afternoon, but a little bit more isolated."

Charbonneau said more snowfall is expected to start Sunday night into Monday morning, with a potential for five to 10 centimetres across the Lower Mainland.

"Looks like it will generally taper off and become light ... before the Monday morning commute," she said. "But this is a situation that can be quite variable."

Environment Canada says temperatures will be five to eight degrees below seasonal in Metro Vancouver next week and strong outflow winds will lead to cold wind chills.

Officials in the region said they began preparations for the snowfall ahead of the weekend, with transit authorities working to clear roads and cities opening warming shelters.

Around two dozen flights were cancelled at Vancouver International Airport on Sunday morning around 10:45 a.m. PT, with YVR advising passengers to check the status of their flight before making the trip to the airport.

Charbonneau said the wintry weather is due to Arctic air making its way to the B.C. Interior and then subsequently to the coast.

That cooler air is combining with a system off the coast of Vancouver Island that is bringing moisture to the South Coast, resulting in snow, according to the meteorologist.

She said the risk of flurries will diminish in Metro Vancouver as the week begins, with drier conditions expected midweek, even as the temperatures remain colder than usual.

However, she warned that temperatures may hover just above freezing during the day and then revert to sub-zero temperatures at night — setting the stage for potential ice and slush formation as the snow melts.

"If the snow accumulates on your sidewalks or pathways, it could linger and become quite icy," she said. "So, you know, important for people to sort of take time to clear the snow when they can."

Highway 1 stalls

On Sunday morning, DriveBC said multiple cars and one commercial vehicle had spun out on the Trans Canada Highway in North Vancouver, between Mountain Highway and Lynn Valley Road. The blockage was eventually cleared, as of 11:30 a.m. PT.

In a statement, the province blamed the traffic tie-up on drivers without winter tires or chains.

"The Ministry of Transportation and Transit's maintenance contractor did 30 passes of the corridor throughout the morning to stay on top of winter conditions until hindered by spun-out vehicles."

In its statement, the province urged drivers on the South Coast not to travel unless their vehicle is equipped for winter weather, and said colder weather would linger for the remainder of the week.