Alerts: Special Weather Statements

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5:11 AM PST Friday 31 January 2025

Wintery conditions.

Where: Vancouver Island & Southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Whistler, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley.

When: Now into next week.

Remarks: A wintery mix of weather conditions is expected to impact the South Coast of BC over the next several days.

Today:
Temperatures will rise and most areas will see just rain throughout the day. Some regions such as the North Shore of Metro Vancouver could see significant rainfall amounts. A cold front will move across the region late this afternoon and early this evening. Some areas such as East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast may see a quick burst of heavy snow with the passage of the cold front. Temperatures will fall to near or below zero tonight resulting in slippery conditions as the wet ground freezes.

Weekend:
Flurries and cold temperatures this weekend as arctic air invades the region and an upper low brings the moisture. Be advised for sudden reduction in visibility in convective flurries if travelling around the south coast this weekend. Accumulations are uncertain at this time as it will depend where the flurries develop but accumulating snow is likely in many areas this weekend. Warnings will be issued as necessary.

Next week:
Very cold and dry air is expected over the South Coast with outflow conditions from an arctic ridge of high pressure settling over the region. Temperatures will be 5 to 8 degrees Celsius below seasonal. Watch for accumulating snow over southern Vancouver Island from Nanaimo to the Saanich Peninsula early next week.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.

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4:47 PM PST Friday 31 January 2025

Snow, blowing snow and Arctic outflow conditions

Where: Vancouver Island & Southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Whistler, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley.

When: Now into next week.

Remarks: A wintry mix of weather conditions is expected to impact the South Coast of BC over the next several days.

Tonight:
A cold front will move across the region late this afternoon and early this evening. Some areas such as East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast will see a quick burst of heavy snow with the passage of the cold front. Be advised for sudden changes in road conditions and visibility. Temperatures will fall to near or below zero tonight resulting in slippery conditions as the wet ground from recent rain or snow freezes.

Weekend:
Heavy flurries and cold temperatures this weekend as arctic air invades the region and an upper low brings the moisture. Be advised for sudden reduction in visibility in convective flurries if travelling around the south coast this weekend. Accumulations are uncertain at this time as it will depend where the flurries develop but accumulating snow is likely in many areas this weekend. Warnings will be issued as necessary.

Next week:
Very cold and dry air is expected over the South Coast with outflow conditions from an arctic ridge of high pressure settling over the region. Temperatures will be 5 to 8 degrees Celsius below seasonal. Blowing snow is possible through the Fraser Valley with recent snowfall. Watch for accumulating snow over southern Vancouver Island from Qualicum Beach to the Saanich Peninsula early next week. Strong outflow winds will result in cold wind chills.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.

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6:14 AM PDT Monday 9 March 2026

Potential for snow during the morning commute on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Where:
- Metro Vancouver

Remarks:
A cool and unstable airmass over the South Coast will bring freezing levels to near sea level before Tuesday morning. The low freezing levels combined with an approaching trough of low pressure will produce bands of flurries or showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Due to the convective nature of the precipitation, snowfall accumulations will be highly variable across the region. Although snow may reach sea level, accumulating snowfall is more likely at higher elevations. Current forecast guidance indicates the potential for 2 to 5 cm of snow.

Please allow for extra time for your morning commute as travel delays are possible. Be prepared to adjust your driving with quickly changing road conditions.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #BCStorm.

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4:50 PM PDT Monday 9 March 2026

Low-Elevation Snowfall for South Coast

When:
- Tuesday morning: Widespread risk.
- Wednesday morning: Local risk over higher terrain and inland sections.

What:
- Trace to 4 cm for areas near sea level.
- Near or possibly exceeding 5 cm over higher terrain including the Malahat Highway, inland areas of Vancouver Island, and the North Shore on the Mainland.
- The Sea to Sky Highway north of Squamish and including Whistler is forecast to receive 5 to 15 cm by Tuesday evening.

Hazards:
- Potential for challenging driving conditions. Allow extra time for travel.
- Prepare for sudden reduction in visibility in heavy flurries.

Remarks: A cold, unstable air mass is bringing a risk of snow down to sea level. Accumulations will be highly variable over short distances and will impact the Tuesday morning commute.

North of Squamish, precipitation is likely to remain as snow throughout the day on Tuesday and Tuesday evening, generating higher total snowfall accumulations for the Sea to Sky Highway and Whistler. Inland areas, especially higher elevation roads of Vancouver Island are also at risk of wet flurries and additional accumulations continuing Tuesday afternoon.

The risk of flurries returns Wednesday morning but is likely to be confined to neighbourhoods and roadways over higher terrain.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #BCStorm.