A blast of winter has turned much of B.C. into a snow globe, with more snow coming to just about everywhere in the province.
By Monday afternoon, over three dozen regions of the province were under some type of extreme weather warning, most due to extreme cold, snowfall or cold Arctic winds, according to Environment Canada's Public Weather Alert System.
Snowfall warnings and winter storm warnings have been issued for many areas. Some locations are expected to receive upwards of 20 centimetres of snow in just 24 hours.
Drivers are being reminded to check DriveBC for updates on all the road conditions and should not be travelling without winter tires.
Fraser Valley
A winter storm warning was issued for the Fraser Valley on Monday morning.
In communities like Chilliwack, Hope and Abbotsford, heavy snowfall with blowing snow is expected to last into late Tuesday evening.
Temperatures are expected to drop to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius for Fraser Valley west and minus 25 in Fraser Valley east. Snowfall is expected to range from 10 to 15 cm, to 20 cm for Highway 3's Allison Pass from Hope to Princeton.
"A low-pressure system will land in Washington State tonight. The associated front will brush through the very southern part of British Columbia giving a round of snow overnight through late Tuesday afternoon,” Environment Canada said in a bulletin late Monday morning.
The Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt is expected to receive between 10 to 15 cm of snow.
Vancouver Island
On Vancouver Island, a winter storm warning says 20 cm of snow could fall over the next 24 hours.
Drivers can expect dangerous travel conditions due to heavy snow and poor visibility from blowing snow, states the warning.
"Snow will taper off Tuesday near noon on Vancouver Island and Tuesday afternoon on the mainland side,” stated Environment Canada.
A winter storm warning has been issued for the Malahat Highway from Goldstream to Mill Bay, Greater Victoria, Fraser Valley, Southern Gulf Islands and East Vancouver Island, including Duncan to Nanaimo, Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan.
More southern sections of the island can expect heavy snow of up to 20 centimetres overnight before it tapers off on Tuesday.
Sea to Sky
An arctic outflow warning has been issued by Environment Canada for the Sea to Sky corridor.
The region, stretching from Squamish to Whistler, is expected to face bitterly cold temperatures due to strong Arctic outflow winds.
The outflow is expected to last until Monday morning all the way to Thursday.
"An arctic front has brought in a cold air mass to the south coast. Strong outflow winds are bringing temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal normals. Wind chill values will approach minus 25 over Howe Sound and minus 30 over the Whistler and Sea to Sky region,” states Environment Canada.
Those driving this route are asked to prepare for unusually cold temperatures and strong winds.
Lower Mainland
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Lower Mainland on Monday calling for 10 to 15 centimetres over 24 hours into Tuesday afternoon.
Burnaby, New Westminster, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, Richmond and Delta are all expected to receive more snow before it tapers off Tuesday morning.
Drivers are being asked to stay off the road unless their vehicle is properly equipped with winter tires.
Okanagan Valley
The low-pressure system will also bring about 10 to 15 cm of snow to the Okanagan Valley.
According to Environment Canada, the areas impacted are in the Fraser Canyon, south including Lytton, Similkameen, South Okanagan, including Penticton, Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3.
Snow is also expected to continue through to late Tuesday afternoon.
Prince George
A prolonged period of unseasonably cold temperatures will settle over the Prince George region from Monday to Wednesday. Wind chill values are expected to make temperatures feel below minus 40 degrees Celsius.
"A very cold arctic air mass has settled over the region. Overnight temperatures near minus 30 degrees Celsius with northeast winds 20 km/h gusting to 40 will result in wind chill values below minus 40,” states Environment Canada
Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill values are expected for Chilcotin, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Prince George, Stuart-Nechako, 100 Mile, McGregor and Yellowhead.
