Winter is Here: Snowfall warning issued for Tri-Cities 

The Tri-Cities are bracing for a serious dump of snow on Wednesday morning. 

After an extreme cold snap which saw temperatures dip below -10 C in some areas, a snowfall warning has been issued for Metro Vancouver and multiple regions on B.C.’s south coast. 

A low pressure system is expected to bring roughly 10 to 20 cm of snow to those regions beginning Tuesday night, according to Environment Canada. Weather forecasters are predicting that the snowfall will continue overnight into Wednesday. 

There is also a possibility of freezing rain posing a threat to commuters on Wednesday morning.   

Coquitlam is advising residents to avoid non-essential travel or consider taking public transit. The city is asking people to drive their vehicles “if absolutely necessary” and only if it is equipped with proper winter weather equipment, such as snow tires. 

At noon on Tuesday, due to the possibility of snow in the forecast, Coquitlam enforced a parking ban on a number of routes — including Blue Mountain Street, Corona Crescent, and Pritchett Place on Burke Mountain — to help the city’s snow plows clear arterial routes. 

“When snow is in the forecast, do not park on the street,” the city wrote in a press release on Tuesday morning. “Parking in your driveway, garage, carport or other spot on your property ensures that our plows will be able to clear curb to curb.” 

Port Moody, meanwhile, which saw multiple vehicle accidents on Heritage Mountain after a brief snowfall on Jan. 11, encouraged residents to prepare for the latest warning.  

Once snow starts to fall, Port Moody is aiming to clear roads on a priority-based system — meaning major roads, including Murray Street and Heritage Mountain Boulevard., will be plowed before some residential streets. 

Solid waste and collection dates may also be delayed or cancelled because of the snow. 

As of Tuesday morning, Port Coquitlam crews began brining all streets and major sidewalks in preparation of snow.

All grass and turf fields in Port Coquitlam were closed over the Jan. 13 weekend because of extreme cold temperatures. On Tuesday, the city also announced that the closure would be extended due to the snowfall warning.