Special weather statement in effect for Metro Vancouver as storm rolls through

Heavy rain and strong winds are making a mess on Monday morning.

Multiple traffic incidents are causing chaos across the Lower Mainland as a “potent” storm which Environment and Climate Change Canada warned about rolls through the region.

A special weather statement is in effect for much of Southern B.C., including much of Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

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ECCC says the “storm system is bringing heavy rain to the South Coast this morning.”

“As the system quickly exits the region, rain will begin to ease near midday. 30 to 40 mm of rain is possible for the North Shore, with 40 to 70 mm possible over the mountains. Lesser rainfall totals are expected for other areas across the region,” the weather service continued.

“Parts of Metro Vancouver will also experience strong southeasterly winds this morning followed by strong west to northwest winds this afternoon. These strong westerly winds will also spread up the Fraser Valley.”

1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss says that while the storm is mainland a morning event for the Lower Mainland, the system will track east, meaning heavy snow and wind for higher elevations.

“There’s a snowfall warning for the Coquihalla, including the summit, especially along Highway 5, and the snow has already started,” he explained. “Slushy conditions, totally snow-covered by this afternoon. So, tricky driving.”

“Avoid driving if you can wait for another 24 hours because the winds will taper off and back into the sun by tomorrow,” he added.

Kuss says 20 centimetres of snow for the tops of the region’s mountain passes is not out of the question.

“It’s been a month since you’ve legally had to have winter tires to travel our mountain roads, but now you really need them, because the snow is coming down today,” Kuss explained.

“This is snowfall warning territory … If you’re travelling further east, the Paulson Summit, Kootenay Pass on Highway 3, you could see as much as 40 centimetres of snow over the next 24 hours.”

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