Environment Canada warns of wintry conditions along B.C. South Coast

Environment Canada says wintry conditions are expected along British Columbia's south coast this week.

It says a low-pressure system is making its way toward the coast, bringing steady precipitation starting Thursday afternoon. 

The weather office says wet snow is expected over higher elevations, with some areas expected to get about four centimetres by Friday morning before temperatures rise and it changes to rain.

It says frigid temperatures are expected this weekend, starting Friday night, as cold Arctic air moves in and mixes with the Pacific moisture.

Environment Canada says snowfall amounts over the weekend are uncertain, but warnings will be issued as necessary. 

A rainfall warning has also been issued for the northern sections of Metro Vancouver and the western Fraser Valley, with about 50 millimetres expected by Friday night.

The weather office has issued a snowfall warning for the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler, saying amounts up to 20 centimetres are expected.

Snowfall warnings were also issued for the Kootenay Pass, where up to 30 centimetres is expected starting Thursday and tapering off Saturday morning, and the Yellowhead region, where 10 to 15 centimetres is expected by Thursday night.

B.C. drivers nervous in snow: survey

According to an Ipsos survey conducted for ICBC in November 2024, 60 per cent of respondents said they felt "very" or "somewhat" nervous driving in winter conditions such as snow, sleet, ice and slush. More Metro Vancouver respondents siad they felt nervous, compared to the rest of B.C.

However, over a third of B.C. drivers surveyed said they hadn't installed winter tires on their vehicle. The top reasons included the weather not being severe enough, drivers avoiding snow and icy conditions anyway, plans to install winter tires later and the cost being too high.

ICBC shared the following driving tips in a Jan. 30 release:

• Prepare your vehicle. Make sure your tires and tread are adequate for the conditions you'll be driving in. Consider winter tires, which provide a lot more grip in snowy and icy conditions. Pack an emergency kit in your vehicle in case you get stuck or stranded. Clear off snow that's built up on your vehicle, including headlights, wheel wells and external sensors if you have a collision warning system.

• Plan your route and check road conditions and possible road closures on drivebc.ca. In challenging winter conditions, consider delaying your travel until the weather clears or roads are plowed. If you don't feel confident driving, use public transit, a taxi or ride-hailing service.

WATCH | Winter driving tips from a B.C. driving instructor: 

Tips and tricks for driving in the snow

2 years ago

Duration 6:23

CBC Vancouver host Lien Yeung takes a driving lesson at Mount Seymour with Driving Unlimited Academy instructor Patrick Ah-Yu, who shows her how to get a car winter-ready and provides tips on driving in snowy conditions.

• Reduce your driving speed, increase your following distance and anticipate turns, stops and lane changes well in advance. If visibility is reduced, turn on your headlights and taillights.

• Don't pass snowplows on the road. They may be equipped with a wing blade on either of its sides, which may not be visible due to the snow it sprays.

• Beware of black ice when temperatures near freezing. If you notice ice build-up on your windshield, there's likely black ice on the road. Black ice is commonly found in shaded areas, bridges, overpasses and intersections. Slow down and increase your following distance in these slippery areas.