Monday is kicking off wet and gloomy across Metro Vancouver, as the region is getting soaked by some serious rainfall which could turn a little frostier by the afternoon.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement cautioning Metro Vancouver is expecting heavy rainfall of up to 30 mm this morning, followed by a chance of wet snow later in the day, with possible accumulation over higher elevations and inland this afternoon.
The region has a deepening Pacific low that is due to make its way across Washington state today to thank for the wet and snowy conditions.
The Special weather statement applies to the following areas:
- Metro Vancouver - central including the City of Vancouver Burnaby and New Westminster
- Metro Vancouver - North Shore including West Vancouver and North Vancouver
- Metro Vancouver - northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
- Metro Vancouver - southeast including Surrey and Langley
- Metro Vancouver - southwest including Richmond and Delta
Freezing levels are forecast to be low enough "to cause localized heavy wet snow to fall this afternoon," according to the weather agency.
Higher elevations and southeastern sections of Metro Vancouver could see local snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 cm by this evening.
Meanwhile, the Fraser Valley is under a Snowfall Warning Monday, in effect for the following areas:
- Fraser Valley - central including Chilliwack
- Fraser Valley - east including Hope
- Fraser Valley - west including Abbotsford
Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 15 cm is expected today in the Fraser Valley, says Environment Canada.
The snow is expected in the late afternoon, following heavy rainfall in the region of up to 40 mm.
Local snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 cm are possible near valley bottom while higher elevations and areas near Hope could see 10 cm or more, cautions Environment Canada.
