Environment Canada has expanded a special weather statement for low-elevation snowfall from Metro Vancouver into other parts of southwestern British Columbia, including Vancouver Island.
Snow was falling across parts of Metro Vancouver Tuesday morning, including the downtown core.
The weather office says up to four centimetres is possible for areas near sea level for the warning area covering the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound and the Fraser Valley, as well as Greater Vancouver.
It says inland areas of North Vancouver Island could also expect upwards of 10 centimetres.
More is expected in higher elevations, including on the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler, where as much as 15 centimetres could fall by the end of Tuesday.
The Coquihalla Highway, which has been backed up over the weekend due to a number of weather-related crashes, remains under a snowfall warning for up to 30 centimetres of snow.
Environment Canada says the winter blast is the result of a cold, unstable air mass and drivers should prepare for challenging driving conditions.
As of Tuesday morning, Vancouver has yet to record a measurable snowfall this winter involving at least one centimetre of accumulation at the city's airport this winter.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
