How much snow is falling in B.C.?

A severe winter has turned much of BC into a snow globe, with more snow falling across most of the province.

According to Environment Canada’s public weather alert system, over three dozen regions of the province were subject to some type of extreme weather warning as of Monday afternoon, most due to extreme cold, snowfall or frigid arctic winds.

Snowfall and winter storm warnings have been issued for many areas. Some locations are expected to receive over 20 inches of snow in just 24 hours.

Drivers are reminded to check DriveBC for updates on all road conditions and should not be driving without snow tyres.

Fraser Valley

A winter storm warning was issued for the Fraser Valley on Monday morning.

Heavy snowfall with blowing snow is expected to continue through late Tuesday evening in communities including Chilliwack, Hope and Abbotsford.

Temperatures are expected to drop to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius in Fraser Valley West and minus 25 degrees Celsius in Fraser Valley East. Snowfall of 10 to 15 cm to 20 cm is expected for the Allison Pass of Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton.

“A low pressure system will make landfall in Washington state tonight. The associated front will roam the extreme southern portion of British Columbia and provide a round of snow overnight through late Tuesday afternoon,” Environment Canada said in a bulletin late Monday morning.

Four to six inches of snow is expected on the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt.

Vancouver island

On Vancouver Island, a winter storm warning says 20 inches of snow could fall in the next 24 hours.

Drivers should expect dangerous travel conditions due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility from blowing snow, the warning said.

“Snow will ease on Tuesday around noon on Vancouver Island and on Tuesday afternoon on the mainland side,” Environment Canada said.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the Malahat Highway from Goldstream to Mill Bay, Greater Victoria, Fraser Valley, Southern Gulf Islands and East Vancouver Island, including Duncan to Nanaimo, Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan.

Southern parts of the island can expect snowfall of up to 20 centimeters overnight before easing on Tuesday.

sea ​​to sky

Environment Canada has issued an Arctic runoff warning for the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

The region, stretching from Squamish to Whistler, is expected to face bitterly cold temperatures due to strong Arctic runoff winds.

The runoff is expected to continue through Monday morning through Thursday.

“An arctic front has brought a cold mass of air to the south coast. Strong outflow winds bring temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal normals. Wind chill readings will approach minus 25 over Howe Sound and minus 30 over Whistler and the Sea to Sky region,” explains Environment Canada.

Those driving this route are asked to be prepared for unusually cold temperatures and high winds.

Lower Mainland

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for the lower mainland on Monday, calling for 10 to 15 inches over the 24-hour period through Tuesday afternoon.

Burnaby, New Westminster, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, Richmond and Delta are expected to receive more snow before it tapers off Tuesday morning.

Drivers are asked to veer off the road unless their vehicle is properly fitted with winter tires.

Okanagan Valley

The low pressure area will also bring about 10 to 15 cm of snow to the Okanagan Valley.

According to Environment Canada, the affected areas are in Fraser Canyon to the south, including Lytton, Similkameen, South Okanagan, including Penticton, Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3.

Snow is also expected to last until late Tuesday afternoon.

Prince George

An extended period of unseasonably cold temperatures will descend on the Prince George region Monday through Wednesday. Wind chill values ​​should let the temperatures feel below minus 40 degrees Celsius.

“A very cold arctic air mass has settled over the region. Night temperatures close to minus 30 degrees Celsius with northeast winds of 20 km/h and gusts up to 40 will result in wind chill values ​​below minus 40,” explains Environment Canada

Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill levels are expected for Chilcotin, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Prince George, Stuart-Nechako, 100 Mile, McGregor and Yellowhead.