Metro Vancouver
5:05 AM PST Saturday 01 March 2014
Snowfall warning for
Metro Vancouver issued
Snow tonight and Sunday with accumulations of 10 to 25 cm. This is a warning that significant snowfall is expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.
A strong Arctic ridge of high pressure is situated over the British Columbia Interior. Cold Arctic air is being pushed out to the coast causing very strong northeasterly winds of 90 km/h through the mainland inlets of the central and north coasts. Northerly outflow winds of 70 km/h will also occur this morning over southern sections of Howe Sound. The combination of strong winds and cold temperatures will result in cold wind chill values of below minus 20 today and Sunday for inland sections of the central and north coasts.
Meanwhile, a low pressure system developing off Vancouver Island will spread increasing amounts of moisture across the South Coast. Snow will develop this evening and give between 5 and 10 cm to the Lower Mainland tonight. Snow will then intensify on Sunday before changing to rain later in the day. Further accumulations of 5 to 15 cm are expected with the greater amounts occurring inland and at higher elevations of Metro Vancouver. There is also the risk of freezing rain late in the day over inland sections of the Fraser Valley.