With overnight temperatures expected to plunge below freezing across the Lower Mainland this weekend, the City of Vancouver is making extra shelter spaces available for those in need of warmth.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement in effect for Metro Vancouver Saturday afternoon, warning of possible snowfall Monday night as a frontal system with modified arctic air approaches the south coast.
As that cold front approaches, temperatures in Vancouver are expected to drop to a low of minus 1°C overnight on Saturday and Sunday.
"Modified arctic air will arrive over the south coast as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday," according to the weather agency, while "A frontal system will arrive over the south coast late Monday afternoon. The front combined with the modified arctic air in place will give potential to produce accumulating snow for neighbourhoods and roadways above 200 metres."
The front is expected to move out of the region Tuesday morning.
The alert applies to the City of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore, the northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, the southeast including Surrey and Langley and the region's southwest, including Richmond and Delta.
As temperatures drop, the City of Vancouver is opening up extra shelter spaces for its most vulnerable residents on both Saturday and Sunday nights. The spaces will be available at the Evelyne Saller Centre, located at 320 Alexander St. in the Downtown Eastside, as well as Directions Youth Services Centre, at 1138 Burrard St., and Tenth Church at 11 10th Ave. W (at Ontario St.)
Evelyne Saller Centre (604-665-3075) will operate between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., with 32 mats available for those seeking shelter. Food will be offered before bed and in the morning, while neither pets nor carts are permitted inside. Final intake will take place at 1 a.m.
Directions Youth Services Centre (604-633-2472 ext. 1) will have seven mats available for youth aged 24 years and under. Those spaces are open from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Monday morning, though mats will be provided after midnight. Pets are accepted, to a maximum for four animals.
Ten mats are available at Tenth Church (604-876-2181) between 9 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., as are light refreshments and showers. Small carts may be stored on site, while pets (subject to some restrictions) are welcome.
The City will is also operating a warming centre at the Powell Street Getaway, located at 528 Powell St. The drop-in site will be open between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., offering hot beverages and snacks. The warming centre can accommodate pets, bikes and carts.
According to the City, physical distancing will be encouraged at all four locations.
The city is encouraging individuals who are sleeping outside to "please come to the safety of the shelters."
