Metro Vancouverites might see a greater dusting of snowfall than was previously expected.
Snow started falling after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18 in parts of the city just and across the Lower Mainland and is expected to continue falling through the afternoon.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau said as much as two to four centimetres of snow may accumulate through the afternoon and into the evening across Metro Vancouver.
The snow is expected to gradually transition to rain later this evening but some places might experience freezing rain.
"The greatest risk for freezing rain is in the Fraser Valley and parts of Surrey near Langley," she told V.I.A.
Freezing rain makes travel conditions dangerous because it immediately freezes when it touches surfaces.
"Freezing rain is the most slippery situation," Charbonneau added, noting that it makes travel conditions treacherous.
Freezing rain warning in effect
A Pacific frontal system combined with lingering Arctic air will produce an extended period of freezing rain predominantly across the Fraser Valley, in places like Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
But there is also a risk it will develop across other parts of Metro Vancouver, with the greatest threat in Surrey.
A freezing rain warning is in effect for Langley and the Fraser Valley but Langley's freezing rain is expected to transition to regular rain overnight.
In Abbotsford and Chilliwack, freezing rain will persist through Friday morning and eventually transition to rain.
If freezing rain develops in other parts of Metro Vancouver, it should only last a matter of hours.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become icy and slippery due to the freezing rain. People should take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation continues to advise people to avoid travel, if possible.
Ahead of the expected freezing rain, the ministry's maintenance contractors are "out in full force" prepping roads for travel. But freezing rain is one of the most difficult conditions to manage, and "bridges and roads may be closed to traffic in the interest of public safety," explains a news release.
Rain in the Metro Vancouver Weather forecast
Following some modest snowfall Thursday and windy conditions, the frosty weather is expected to transition to a significantly warmer, wetter pattern. Friday is expected to see temperatures climb several degrees higher than they have in well over a week, with a daytime high of 7 C.
As much as 10 to 20 mm of rain should fall across Metro Vancouver on Friday morning. While it doesn't meet the criteria for a rainfall warning, it is a significant amount of precipitation and should melt the snowfall.
Saturday and Sunday should also be on the warmer, wetter side, although they aren't expected to receive as much rainfall.
Charbonneau pointed out that the transition to warmer temperatures is a return "to business as usual" due to the mild winter and the influence of El Niño.
Check hyper-local weather forecasts for over 50 neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland with Weatherhood.
