Skip to content
Join our Newsletter
  1. Home
  2. Weatherhood Local

'Be careful out there': What to expect for Metro Vancouver road conditions

There were massive gridlocks across the city due to the snow event.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
vancouver-weather-commuter-chaos-january-2024jpg
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes an arctic outflow warning and road conditions in Vancouver will be affected.Photo via @CitizenYan/Twitter

The snow stopped falling across Metro Vancouver on Thursday night (Jan. 11) but road conditions remain treacherous across the region. 

Locals were met with a blast of bone-chilling air as strong winds began blowing fresh snowfall late Thursday afternoon. The wintry weather slowed traffic to a halt in many places, including several major highways. 

On Thursday, the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) reported on X, formerly Twitter, that approximately 30 vehicles crashed, warning drivers to avoid driving during inclement weather.

People took to social media again Friday to share videos of cars sliding down hills into each other. One person quipped that "ICBC is going to be busy," while another asked if people were laying down towels on the road. 

Other people shared images of cars stuck in gridlocked traffic that extended across huge parts of the region. A couple of them highlighted that less than 2 cm of snowfall caused the massive disruption. 

One picture shows several buses lined up together in a row, while a video shows a truck hitting an overpass during the snowy commute.

Metro Vancouver forecast includes more subzero temperatures, strong winds

The arctic outflow warning remains in effect across Metro Vancouver as strong winds gusting up to 60 km/h are expected to make subzero temperatures feel as cold as -20 C. 

Flurries are no longer included in the forecast but conditions are still dangerous. While many major roads have been cleared or salted, side streets and some sidewalks may be treacherous. 

TransLink announced early Friday morning that its Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines were experiencing delays due to weather. Just before 9 a.m., service improved but "gaps" were expected as it returned to normal.

Although the snow has stopped falling, Drive BC warns that Metro Vancouver road conditions are still treacherous, particularly due to ice. You should drive slow, and make sure your car is cleared before you head out. Ensure you have appropriate tires and do not drive if you don't. 

The City of Vancouver has some examples of emergency kits that you can assemble to keep in your home for emergencies. Similar ones can be kept in your vehicle. They should contain food, water, clothing, medicine, money, and any other supplies that you would require if you found yourself stuck on a highway during poor weather.

Customers can plan their commute by using Trip Planner and stay up to date by signing up for Transit Alerts, following TransLink on X (Twitter) @TransLink, or calling Customer Service at 604-953-3333.