VANCOUVER — Just as British Columbia's south coast digs out from a nasty winter storm that dumped more than a half meter of snow in some areas, another snowfall warning has been issued for the region.
Environment Canada says five to 10 centimetres of snow is expected between late Thursday and early Friday over Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, eastern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and Fraser Valley.
Heaviest snowfall is expected during the homeward rush but the weather office says milder temperatures mean the snow could change to rain overnight, depending on location and elevation.
Another snowfall warning is in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. @NEWS1130Weather says we're in for a mix of snow, rain and freezing rain. #bcstorm
— NEWS 1130 (@NEWS1130) February 14, 2019
(via @BT_Vancouver) pic.twitter.com/GrdOgwfG6u
The warning comes as public school students who have been out of school since Monday in many districts, including Greater Victoria, prepare to head back to class.
In the Howe Sound, Whistler and central coast regions, powerful winds are the problem, with the weather office warning of gusts between 90 and 110 kilometres per hour.
An arctic outflow warning also remains posted for the Whistler and Sea-to-Sky areas shivering through windchill values of -20, although forecasters expect conditions will ease later in the day as temperatures and winds moderate.
Weather Report:
Today Increasing cloudiness. Snow beginning this afternoon. Amount 2 cm. High plus 1. UV index 1 or low.
Tonight Snow changing to wet snow mixed with rain near midnight. Snowfall amount 5 to 10 cm. Temperature steady near zero.
Fri, 15 Feb Periods of snow mixed with rain changing to rain in the afternoon. Local snowfall amount 2 cm. High plus 3.
Night Cloudy with 60 percent chance of rain. Low plus 1.
Sat, 16 Feb Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. High plus 5.
Night Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low zero.
Sun, 17 Feb Sunny. High plus 3.
Night Clear. Low minus 6.
Mon, 18 Feb Periods of snow. High plus 1.
Night Cloudy periods. Low minus 2.
Tue, 19 Feb A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers. High plus 5.
Night Cloudy periods with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. Low minus 2.
Wed, 20 Feb A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 5.
04:59 EnvCanada issued warning #Snowfall 5 to 10 cm #Vancouver #BCStorm https://t.co/dryWij2u8f
— Vancouver (@ECAlertBC74) February 14, 2019
Potential #snowfall accumulations late today & tonight will vary widely. Anywhere from a trace to several cms because we will be right on the edge between the melting and freezing point for several consecutive hours, across the varied terrain of the Lower Mainland. #BCStorm
— Russ Lacate (@NEWS1130Weather) February 14, 2019
Snow shovel sales soar! All shapes and sizes are becoming a hot commodity in parts of Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/W4tf3dweEe
— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) February 14, 2019