Here's how Vancouver is preparing for the first snowfall of the year

City and transit crews prepare for snow Snow is in the forecast for parts of Metro Vancouver, and city and transit workers are preparing for wintry conditions.

Vancouver — While some parts of the Lower Mainland have already seen snowfall this year, Vancouver might see its first flakes this week and the city is taking steps to get ready.

A special weather statement from Environment Canada says Vancouver could start to see snow Thursday night and into Friday morning. The City of Vancouver says it's already been preparing the roads by brining and salting "priority response locations."

If there ends up being snowfall, the city says it's ready to salt and plow the roads if necessary.

"Should we see accumulations, our priorities include arterials, bus routes, bridges, emergency routes, school routes and priority bike lanes," the city said in a statement.

"We also prioritize bus stops, arterial corner ramps and pedestrian pathways along the seawall and the Arbutus Greenway."

TransLink also says it's getting ready for any snowfall by bringing in extra staff, coordinating with municipalities, adding more train cars to the Millennium Line and installing brass "cutters" on some buses that will allow them to cut through ice on trolley wires.

"Environment Canada is forecasting late night rain, followed by snow through the morning commute. This sequence of precipitation will not allow for early salting and sanding as the materials will wash away before snow hits," TransLink said in a news release.

"We are encouraging customers to dress for the elements and use proper footwear to avoid slips and falls."

If conditions get particularly snowy, TransLink has additional plans including running a SkyTrain that sprays a de-icing agent on the tracks, running trains all night to keep tracks clear and using tire socks on Burnaby Mountain and some North Shore buses.

In anticipation of snow, the City of Vancouver is also reminding property owners and residents are reminded that snow and ice must be clear from sidewalks around their property by 10 a.m. the morning after a snowfall.

Property owners and residents are reminded that snow and ice must be clear from sidewalks around their property by 10 a.m. the morning after a snowfall.

"As always, residents and business owners can play a big role in ensuring snow doesn't become hazardous for people with mobility challenges," the city said in its statement.

"It's important that snow is cleared promptly from walkways and sidewalks before it hardens to ice."

The city also recommends that drivers use winter tires on Vancouver roads over the next few days.

Environment Canada's weather statement says that while the snow is expected to turn to rain by midday Friday, more snow is possible over the weekend.