Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Snow Arrives To Southern B.C. But Weather Agency Downplays Earlier Predictions

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Dec, 2016 12:07 PM
    VANCOUVER — British Columbia's south coast is known for its temperate weather and mild winters, but that norm is being turned on its head this year as temperatures dip and the region is blanketed in snow for the second time in less than a week.
     
    Monday's flurries marked the first time a significant amount of snow fell on Metro Vancouver in more than two years, causing widespread traffic delays and prompting the closure of several schools.
     
    Earlier this week, Environment Canada anticipated a considerable amount of snow to hit the south coast starting Thursday evening, but the weather agency has since dialled back its forecast.
     
    It changed its prediction to between five and 10 centimetres of snow for the Lower Mainland and between 10 and 15 centimetres for southern Vancouver Island.
     
     
    "We're expecting a little less than originally anticipated because last night's snow didn't materialize until this morning," Matt MacDonald, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said on Friday.
     
    Lower-lying areas were expected to likely begin mixing with rain on Friday afternoon, he added.
     
    "Temperatures are right around freezing, which makes it difficult to forecast," MacDonald said.
     
    Vancouver Island has so far received the brunt of the weather, with 12 centimetres of snow on the Malahat highway and the Cowichan Valley, and coastal communities experiencing between five and 10 centimetres.
     
    The provincial government announced Thursday it may be forced to shut down two of the Lower Mainland's main bridges if workers were unable to prevent ice from forming on the structures' cables and falling on passing vehicles.
     
    Monday saw dozens of vehicles damaged, leading to 80 insurance claims and prompting a pledge from the province to cover the deductible payments of those affected.
     
     
    MacDonald said a weekend of snow and rain would lead into a period of uncharacteristically low temperatures as an Arctic air mass moves into the region, bringing with it temperatures up to 15 degrees lower than the yearly norm.
     
    Deep-freeze conditions will come to end in mid-January, when the weather is expected to return to the yearly normal, he added.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Hit And Run: Surrey RCMP Looking For Vehicle Involved

    Hit And Run: Surrey RCMP Looking For Vehicle Involved
    Surrey RCMP are looking for a vehicle that was involved in a fatal hit and run at 12600-block of King George Boulevard on Dec. 5.

    Hit And Run: Surrey RCMP Looking For Vehicle Involved

    Toddler East Of Toronto Dies After Swallowing Pill At Relatives' Home: Police

    Toddler East Of Toronto Dies After Swallowing Pill At Relatives' Home: Police
      The incident took place on Nov. 19 after a Whitby, Ont., family visited relatives.

    Toddler East Of Toronto Dies After Swallowing Pill At Relatives' Home: Police

    City of Surrey and Surrey RCMP launch City Centre Response Plan

    City of Surrey and Surrey RCMP launch City Centre Response Plan
    The creation of the Surrey Outreach Team will provide for an enhanced outreach and presence in the 135A Street area.

    City of Surrey and Surrey RCMP launch City Centre Response Plan

    Montreal Doctor Under Investigation Commits Suicide In Hospital: Reports

    Montreal Doctor Under Investigation Commits Suicide In Hospital: Reports
    Montreal police are saying an employee of the Sainte-Justine children's hospital has committed suicide.

    Montreal Doctor Under Investigation Commits Suicide In Hospital: Reports

    Father Of Woman Charged In Son's Death Called As Character Witness At Her Trial

    Father Of Woman Charged In Son's Death Called As Character Witness At Her Trial
    Don Lovett, a communications consultant, was one of a number of character witnesses called by the defence at Tamara Lovett's trial.

    Father Of Woman Charged In Son's Death Called As Character Witness At Her Trial

    Warrant Issued For Mother Of Ontario Girl Who Was Subject Of Amber Alert

    Niagara regional police say Layla Sabry and her mother Allana Haist were last seen on Thursday evening in Welland, Ont.

    Warrant Issued For Mother Of Ontario Girl Who Was Subject Of Amber Alert