More snow in forecast for B.C.’s South Coast
Environment Canada posted a weather alert Wednesday, saying more snow and cold temperatures are on the way for B.C.’s South Coast.
The federal weather agency says snow is expected Thursday night and Friday, and “bitterly cold Arctic outflow winds” on Friday night and Saturday.
Beginning late Thursday, forecasters say more Arctic air will descend over the province, while increasing moisture will bring snow to most of the South Coast beginning Thursday night.
The snow is expected to continue through Friday, with a couple of centimetres of accumulation. However, the alert says there could be much higher accumulations over some regions, including Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria and the Fraser Valley.
The region has been experiencing a cold snap for about a week, and meteorologists say it’s going to continue until at least midway next week, if not longer.
Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven says temperatures are going to remain a few degrees below normal for this time of year, and will likely plunge even lower this weekend with the incoming Arctic weather system.
She says the conditions will “rival or be stronger” than what Metro Vancouver has been seeing over the past few days.
Erven says that means there could be some cold temperature records set this weekend, given some parts of the region have already hit records this week.
In the Malahat region of the Island, the mercury dipped to a record low of -7.4 C on Monday, while White Rock also hit -7.5 C, smashing -6.1 C set in 1929.
On Tuesday, Lytton was -17.4 C, breaking the 1949 record of -17.2 C. Squamish also set a record at -9.5 C.
The Arctic outflow will be strongest over Howe Sound-Whistler, the Fraser Valley, Greater Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands. These areas will experience “bitterly cold wind-chill temperatures and reduced visibilities in blowing snow,” according to Wednesday’s alert.
“Winter is back, and it’s here to stay for a while,” said Erven, adding residents should watch for possible posted snow or cold-weather warnings.
And while the lakes and ponds in Vancouver freeze over, park officials are warning residents it is not safe to walk on the ice. The park board has posted warning signage at Trout Lake and all ponds, including at Jericho Beach, Vanier Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Everett Crowley Park and Lost Lagoon.
The ice is being monitored daily, according to spokesman Godfrey Tait, who said it’s only about one-quarter-ofan-inch thick. The ice needs to be at least eight inches thick for it to be safe, he added.
Elsewhere in B.C., much of the province remains in a deep freeze. Environment Canada has posted warnings for the Southern Interior and the North Coast, saying cold temperatures will produce wind-chill values near -35 C early Wednesday.