Snowfall warnings and winter storm warnings blanket much of British Columbia heading into the final weekend of February as a wet system appears to be sliding down the coast by Sunday morning.
It’s been a few months since we’ve seen this kind of snowfall on the south coast, so residents should prepare for travel disruptions and appropriate post-storm cleanup efforts.
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The low pressure system responsible for this weekend’s wintry weather will slide down the coast throughout Saturday.
North Vancouver Island will see snow as early as Saturday afternoon before precipitation spreads across the south coast and lower mainland later in the day.
People should prepare for the possibility of travel disruptions this weekend.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued snowfall warnings for the entire Lower Mainland, including Metro Vancouver, through Sunday morning.
“Prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,” ECCC said in its warning. “Rapidly falling snow will make travel difficult.”
Snow will increase in both intensity and coverage through Saturday night, eventually turning into flurries through Sunday for the south coast and Vancouver Island.
On Saturday evening, gusty winds accompany the passage of the cold front. Poor visibility is possible in places where gusty winds accompany snowfall.
At the end of the storm we could see 5-15 cm of snow over Metro Vancouver, with totals of 15-25+ cm further east along the Fraser Valley.
Communities along the east coast of Vancouver Island are likely to see less snowfall, with just inches expected for Victoria.
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After the storm, temperatures on the south coast will slowly improve over the next week, although near-low-season temperatures are likely to persist through at least the first few days of March.
Another round of unsettled weather is set to arrive early next week, bringing the potential for rain and snow to the region.
WATCH: Cold air ushers in weekend storm heading for BC’s south coast
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Be sure to check out the latest information on this upcoming winter weather across BC
