The City of Vancouver, TransLink, and YVR all prepared to batten down the hatches after Environment Canada predicted heavy snow, ice pellets and freezing rain in Metro Vancouver and much of B.C. from Thursday night (Dec. 22) through to Christmas Eve.
Up to 25 centimetres of snow was expected in parts of the Lower Mainland and some airlines preemptively cancelled flights.
But many people are looking out their windows this morning and wondering, what gives? Is the snow as worrisome as we have been led to believe? Are the road conditions that dangerous?
The City of Vancouver and B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure say yes.
Crews are out in force plowing, salting, and sanding the roads to combat the icy conditions and the public is reminded to give plows the right of way. However, if possible, people are asked to avoid the roads entirely.
Several vehicles have already spun out this morning heading up the hill on Granville Street southbound between 16th and King Edward and a CBC Traffic Truck lost its trailer at the Brunette and Braid intersection in New Westminster.
The Alex Fraser Bridge and Port Mann Bridge are currently closed due to weather conditions:
TransLink has also asked that customers avoid travelling if possible and several routes have experienced delays and ferries have also been delayed.
Light snow fell last night between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. before turning to ice pellets until the early hours of this morning making driving more treacherous. Vancouverites are reminded that speed limits are for ideal road conditions so go slow if you must drive.
With files from Canadian Press.
