ENVIRONMENT Canada announced on Thursday morning that there is a winter storm warning in effect for:
- Metro Vancouver – northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
- Metro Vancouver – southeast including Surrey and Langley
Hazardous winter conditions are expected.
A strong Pacific frontal system will move towards the region Thursday. Warmer air aloft has spread across the region this morning while brisk northeast winds maintain the cool air near the surface. Freezing rain has been reported at Abbotsford since Wednesday night and it will continue through most of Thursday, with patchy freezing rain in eastern Metro Vancouver Thursday morning as well. The freezing rain is expected to change to rain later on Thursday.
Meanwhile, for the rest of the Fraser Valley additional snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm are possible before the snow transitions to freezing rain later on Thursday.
A significant layer of ice is possible through Friday over portions of the Fraser Valley.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays.