Alerts: Special Weather Statements

[Abby_wx]

4:32 PM PST Wednesday 08 December 2021
Special weather statement in effect for:

Fraser Valley - central including Chilliwack
Fraser Valley - east including Hope
Fraser Valley - west including Abbotsford

Heavy precipitation and strong winds for the B.C. south coast.

Locations: Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, Whistler, and surrounding highway routes (Highway 3, 5, and Sea to Sky).

Rainfall amount: 40 to 80 mm.

Snowfall accumulation: 15 to 25 cm near Whistler, Coquihalla Summit, and Allison Pass.

Wind speed: 60 km/h gusting to 80

Time Span: Friday and Saturday.

Remarks: A moist Pacific frontal system will arrive over the BC south coast Friday morning.

The front will produce rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 mm for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Rainfall amounts of 80 mm or higher are possible near the North Shore Mountains and Howe Sound.

Freezing levels will range between 500 and 1000 metres with this system. Whistler and the high elevation mountain passes, particularly Highways 3, 5, and the Sea to Sky, can expect heavy snow.

Strong southeast winds will accompany the front. The strongest winds are expected for areas along the Strait of Georgia overnight Friday into early Saturday morning.

The heavy precipitation and strong winds will ease late Saturday.

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.


4:32 PM PST Wednesday 08 December 2021
Special weather statement in effect for:

Coquihalla Highway - Hope to Merritt
Highway 3 - Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass

Heavy precipitation and strong winds for the B.C. south coast.

Locations: Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, Whistler, and surrounding highway routes (Highway 3, 5, and Sea to Sky).

Rainfall amount: 40 to 80 mm.

Snowfall accumulation: 15 to 25 cm near Whistler, Coquihalla Summit, and Allison Pass.

Wind speed: 60 km/h gusting to 80

Time Span: Friday and Saturday.

Remarks: A moist Pacific frontal system will arrive over the BC south coast Friday morning.

The front will produce rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 mm for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Rainfall amounts of 80 mm or higher are possible near the North Shore Mountains and Howe Sound.

Freezing levels will range between 500 and 1000 metres with this system. Whistler and the high elevation mountain passes, particularly Highways 3, 5, and the Sea to Sky, can expect heavy snow.

Strong southeast winds will accompany the front. The strongest winds are expected for areas along the Strait of Georgia overnight Friday into early Saturday morning.

The heavy precipitation and strong winds will ease late Saturday.

Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.

Road conditions are available at www.drivebc.ca.

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.

[Typeing3]

Update.

11:01 AM PST Thursday 09 December 2021
Special weather statement in effect for:

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
Heavy precipitation and strong winds for the B.C. south coast.

Locations: Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Whistler, and surrounding highway routes (Highway 3, 5, and Sea to Sky).

Rainfall amount: 30 to 60 mm.

Snowfall accumulation: 15 to 25 cm near Whistler, Coquihalla Summit, and Allison Pass.

Wind speed: 60 km/h gusting to 80.

Time Span: Friday and Saturday.

Remarks: A moist Pacific frontal system will arrive over the B.C. south coast Friday morning.

The system will produce rainfall amounts of 30 to 60 mm for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Higher rainfall are possible near the North Shore Mountains and Howe Sound.

Freezing levels will range between 500 and 1000 metres with this system. Whistler and the high elevation mountain passes, particularly Highways 3, 5, and the Sea to Sky, can expect heavy snow.

Strong winds will accompany this system. Strong southeasterly winds switch to strong southwesterly winds early Saturday morning. The strongest winds of 60 gusting 80 are expected for areas along the Strait of Georgia Friday night into early Saturday morning.

The heavy precipitation and strong winds will start to ease Saturday morning. However, periods of heavy snow will persist over Coquihalla Summit and Allison Pass through Saturday.

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.

[Abby_wx]

5:54 PM PST Thursday 23 December 2021
Special weather statement in effect for:

Fraser Valley - central including Chilliwack
Fraser Valley - east including Hope
Fraser Valley - west including Abbotsford

Snow this weekend and near record cold temperatures next week.

Locations: Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, the Sea to Sky Highway, Whistler, and the Sunshine Coast.

Time Span:
Snow: Tonight to Sunday.
Cold temperatures: Beginning Friday night and continuing through next week.

Remarks: A weather system will arrive over the south coast overnight tonight and remain in the region through Sunday. Initially, the system will bring rain mixed with snow for areas closer to the water and snow for inland areas and higher terrain.

Cooler air from the B.C. interior starts to make its way out to the south coast on Friday night. With temperatures lowering to below freezing, widespread snow is expected this weekend.

True Arctic air will reach the south coast Saturday night with strong outflow winds. As a result, temperatures will remain well below seasonal through the end of December. Temperatures will bottom out near or at record low temperatures of -10C to -12C early next week.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. There will be an increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia with these conditions. Protect yourself and wear appropriate clothing when outdoors. Ensure external water pipes are insulated or drained. If it's too cold outside for you to stay outside, it's too cold for pets to stay outside. If travelling, carry an emergency kit including blankets and a first aid kit, and ensure your battery is in good condition.

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.

[Typeing3]

11:04 AM PDT Monday 16 May 2022
Special weather statement in effect for:

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
Strong winds beginning Tuesday night for South Coast.

Locations: Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Whistler, Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.

Wind: Strong, gusty southeasterly winds switching to southwest on Wednesday.

Other hazards: 40 to 70 mm of precipitation for West Vancouver Island and higher terrain of the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, and North Shore Mountains.

Time span: Tuesday night through late Wednesday

Remarks: An unseasonably strong low pressure system will make landfall on Vancouver Island Tuesday night bringing strong southeasterly winds and heavy precipitation to much of the south coast. The storm will be accompanied by freezing levels of 1100 to 1500 m which means precipitation will fall as heavy snow in the mountains. As the cold front passes, winds will shift to strong and gusty westerlies or southwesterlies Wednesday morning, impacting western Vancouver Island, and potentially Qualicum, Victoria, Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley. Strong southerlies will also funnel up the Sea to Sky.

There is some uncertainty in the exact track of the low pressure centre. This will impact which communities see the strongest winds. As the storm nears and wind speeds and total precipitation amounts become more certain, warnings may be issued.

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.

[Typeing3]

4:53 PM PDT Wednesday 22 June 2022
Special weather statement in effect for:

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
First hot stretch of the summer for the south coast.

Timespan: Friday through Tuesday.

Locations: Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky.

Hazards: Daytime highs rising into the low 30's with overnight lows down to the mid-teens.

The south coast will experience a stretch of warmer than average temperatures beginning later this week. On Friday, inland temperatures will reach into the upper 20's. Through the weekend and into early next week, temperatures in the low 30's are forecast. There will be some respite from the elevated daytime temperatures as overnight lows fall into the mid-teens.

With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat related illnesses increase.

Freezing levels rise throughout this event and will lead to an increase in snowmelt and snowpack instability. Increased stream flows due to run-off are possible.

Although heat is expected, bodies of water still remain cool for this time of year and may pose a risk of hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Please refer to the British Columbia River Forecast Centre and Avalanche Canada for local messaging:

http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm

https://avalanche.ca/en/map

Temperatures are expected to return to near-normal values by the middle of next week as a cooler, unsettled airmass pushes onshore.

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.

[Typeing3]

6:32 PM PST Friday 16 December 2022
Special weather statement in effect for:

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
Wintry mix of precipitation followed by strong outflow winds, cold temperatures and wind chill this weekend.

Where: Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, and Sea to Sky - Squamish to Whistler.

Hazard: Prepare for potentially challenging travel conditions. Check water pipes during the cold period.

Remarks: A series of weather systems will bring periods of snow to the south coast this weekend.

On Saturday, precipitation will fall as light flurries or showers depending on temperature and elevation. In general, 2 up to 4 cm of snow can be expected across the region. For Metro Vancouver, snowfall accumulations are mainly expected over higher terrain.

Saturday night through Sunday, an arctic front from interior BC will move across the south coast and bring a period of heavy flurries to the region. Currently, there is still large uncertainty associated with the timing of this system. Recent model guidance indicates total snowfall amounts near 10 cm are likely for the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, and the Sea to Sky highway. 2 up to 5 cm of snow are possible over Metro Vancouver on Sunday.

With the passage of the arctic front on Sunday, strong outflow winds will bring in cold arctic air and temperatures falling 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal average.

Please stay tuned to the updated weather forecast and warnings this weekend, and be prepared for changing road conditions and cold temperatures.

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.

[Typeing3]

5:30 PM PST Sunday 14 January 2024
More winter weather expected later Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a Pacific low pressure system will approach the coast from the west. The moisture from this system will interact with arctic air already in place over the south coast to bring a messy mix of rain, freezing rain and snow on Tuesday evening into Wednesday.

Snow is expected to begin on Tuesday evening. Following the snow, parts of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland could see a prolonged period of freezing rain or ice pellets overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

Freezing precipitation should change to rain during the day on Wednesday, though the timing of this transition is still uncertain.

The potential for heavy snow and freezing rain during this time could pose a hazard to travel and outdoor activities.

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.

[AbbyJr]

Environment Canada might have to update that in the event the snowy trends continue.

[AbbyJr]

Updated Special Weather Statement issued by Environment Canada:

3:49 PM PST Monday 15 January 2024

More snow coming up later tomorrow to Wednesday.

A Pacific low pressure system is expected to bring more snow to the B.C. south coast from Tuesday evening to Wednesday. Significant snowfall accumulation is very likely during this weather event.

There is also a slight risk of freezing rain tomorrow night in areas near the United States border.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

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.

[Typeing3]

4:56 AM PST Monday 26 February 2024
A wintry mix of precipitation is expected.

Where: Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler and the Sea to Sky Highway.

When: Tuesday evening through Wednesday, potentially impacting the Tuesday evening commute.

Remarks:
A weather system brings a wintry mix of precipitation to the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Howe Sound-Whistler late Tuesday evening through Wednesday.

For most regions except Whistler and the Sea to Sky Highway, snow levels will be hovering near the surface, and precipitation will start as rain mixed with snow Tuesday evening. Snowfall accumulations are expected to vary greatly with elevation and proximity to the water.

With a warming southwesterly flow aloft, snow levels will rise overnight resulting in mixed precipitation changing to moderate to heavy rain late Tuesday night or early Wednesday. During this transition, there is also a risk of freezing rain over the Fraser Valley as warm air overrides the cold air in the valley.

For Whistler and Sea to Sky Highway, precipitation will start as snow Tuesday evening and transition to rain Wednesday afternoon.

Moderate to heavy precipitation will ease across the region late Wednesday with the passage of the system.

Warnings may be issued as the event draws closer and as confidence in the snowfall accumulation improve. Please continue to check the weather forecasts, and be prepared for changing weather 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 tweet reports using #BCStorm.

[Typeing3]

11:12 AM PDT Saturday 17 August 2024

Strong winds, thunderstorms with heavy downpours and gusty winds are expected.

When: Late this evening to early Sunday morning.

Where: Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Southern Gulf Islands, Howe Sound, East Vancouver Island, and Sunshine Coast.

Hazards: Strong southerly winds, risk of frequent lightning and heavy downpours.

Potential Impacts;
-Strong winds may cause tree branches to break and localized power outages.
-Reduced visibility in heavy downpours and water pooling on the roads.

Remarks: An upper level disturbance moving up the Oregon and Washington coast today will cross the BC south coast later tonight.

Strong southerly winds are expected to precede thunderstorm activity late in the evening hours. Thunderstorms are expected to follow, bringing periods of heavy showers and the potential for gusty winds after midnight.

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.

[SouthSardiswx]

Huh there's no SWS for the Fraser valley weird.

[Typeing3]

Huh there's no SWS for the Fraser valley weird.

Forcefield in full effect.

[SouthSardiswx]

Forcefield in full effect.

That figures Tstorms oh well maybe l'll see some good distance flashes tonight.

[Typeing3]

9:44 PM PST Sunday 17 November 2024

Very windy conditions are expected.

When: Tuesday to Wednesday morning with peak wind speeds expected Tuesday night.

Where: Mainland BC Coast.

Remarks: A significant fall storm is set to impact Vancouver Island beginning on Tuesday. An area of low pressure will deepen rapidly some 400 kms west of Vancouver Island on Tuesday. This low is forecast to then curl northwards on Wednesday, remaining offshore through the period.

Coastal areas will see southeasterly winds increase through the afternoon on Tuesday, with peak wind speeds expected for most areas on Tuesday night. Strong winds are likely to continue on Wednesday morning but should ease later in the day.

Very strong outflow winds can also be expected through mainland inlets and valleys.

Some areas can also expect heavy rain at times during this event, but winds will remain the primary concern.

-Strong winds may down trees or cause tree limbs to break.
-Be prepared for power outages.
-Travel delays will be possible.
-Secure loose outdoor objects.

For emergency preparedness tips visit Safety Canada at: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/index-en.aspx

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.