Snow, frigid cold on Metro’s doorstep
Wild weather this week prompts plenty of insurance claims, major energy use
A roller-coaster of “very interesting weather” is en route for Metro Vancouver and other parts of the snow-slammed South Coast, says one meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Those were the words of Armel Castellan to capture the following: serious snowfall overnight Tuesday; dramatic snowfall overnight Wednesday; a good dousing of rain through the weekend; and heavy, at times frigid, winds on hand to blow everything about.
The latest forecast for the South Coast comes as ICBC is reporting a spike in accident claims, crews are having trouble keeping Highway 1 clear and B.C. Hydro is experiencing record electricity use in the province.
For Castellan, the most immediate concerns are the frigid temperatures forecast into today. Arctic outflow warnings from Environment Canada project lows to hit around -20 C in Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky region, and Castellan figured Metro would see lows in the order of -15 C.
Major snow is “on the doorstep,” and the first round is expected to last into this morning ’s commute, with as much as five to 10 centimetres slated to fall from the University of B.C. clear through to Hope, Castellan said.
“I should also mention the winds will be quite strong,” he said. “Because the snow is going to be relatively light … that’s when we should see a lot of blowing snow with it, so the visibilities are going to be very problematic.”
By tonight, another round of snow is likely to start up. “That one will affect (Vancouver) Island in a big way. We’re talking about possibly some locations upwards of 20 and even 25 centimetres,” Castellan said. Northern sections of Metro could see 10-20 centimetres that night.
“We are looking at moderate rain late Friday, Saturday and into Sunday,” he said. The rain after so much snow could cause vulnerable roofs to collapse, storm drains to clog and localized flooding, he said.
By next week warmer, friendlier weather should return to the region.
ICBC had a major bump in diala-claim calls in the Lower Mainland on Sunday and Monday, when the region was hit with snow. Calls were up 50 per cent Sunday and 22 per cent Monday compared with the week before. The provincial insurer didn’t have statistics for Tuesday, when sections of Highway 1 were reported to have turned treacherous.
Staff at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said its contractors in Metro and the Fraser Valley were out “in full force” through the night plowing and dumping salt, brine and sand in a bid to keep Highway 1 clean. Heavy winds and cold and dry temperatures in the Fraser Valley made it tough to keep materials on the road or work on compacted snow, they said.
“The ministry advises travellers to expect winter conditions for the rest of the week, and encourages everyone to plan ahead and drive according to the weather and road conditions,” read a statement. Drivers were also reminded to use proper tires for the weather.
B.C. Hydro hit a record hourly demand for electricity Monday when customers used 10,302 megawatts. The Crown corporation recommended setting thermostats at 21 when relaxing, 18 when moving about and 16 when sleeping, to help reduce energy use.
Lorie Chortyk, a general manager with the B.C. SPCA, said her group tends to see increased calls during cold snaps about animals being left outside. She urged owners to keep their pets inside, and farm animals sheltered. Chortyk also recommended people bang the hoods of their cars before hopping in and starting their engines. Pets and animals sometimes crawl into warm engine bays when temperatures plummet, she said.
The winds will be quite strong. Because the snow is going to be relatively light ... we should see a lot of blowing snow.