Rain washes away Metro Vancouver’s first snowfall of the year, but more coming this weekend

Wet snow that fell overnight has been washed away but Environment Canada says there is more in the forecast this weekend.

BURNABY, B.C.— Heavy rain has quickly washed away the Lower Mainland’s first snowfall of the year.

Some areas saw slushy flakes overnight into Friday morning, while others were just drenched by heavy rain.

It was a welcome sight for commuters who were concerned about how the forecast might impact rush hour.

However, Environment Canada says more snow is in the forecast this weekend.

“This setup right now we’re seeing for the weekend especially, is a good setup to see snowfall that will actually accumulate on the ground. But in terms of how much we’ll get, it will be highly variable, so we may get nothing in some areas, and possibly a lot in some other areas, ranging anywhere from the Lower Mainland all the way out into Vancouver Island,” said Derek Lee, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Higher elevations like Burnaby Mountain did get some accumulation early Friday morning.

Snow plows cleared the soggy snow at Simon Fraser University, but heavy rain washed away most of the frozen piles within hours.

Environment Canada has issued both rainfall warnings and special weather statements for winter conditions at the same time for the Lower Mainland.

A low-pressure system approaching Metro Vancouver will bring rain Friday, but will taper off late in the evening.

Up to 50 millimetres of rain is forecast for areas like the North Shore, and when combined with areas of frozen ground, runoff may cause localized flooding and water pooling on roads.

“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Be prepared for winter conditions at higher elevations,” warned the weather agency in a bulletin.

It warned people not to approach washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

“With that cooler trend and possibly snow in the forecast, prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions. Definitely keep a jacket and umbrella handy, or maybe even a shovel out, just because the forecast may call for more snow as we head into the weekend and Monday,” said Lee.

A cold front will move across the region late Friday afternoon and in the early evening.

“Some areas such as East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast may see a quick burst of heavy snow with the passage of the cold front,” wrote Environment Canada.

Temperatures will fall to near or below zero Friday night creating slippery conditions as the wet ground freezes.

Flurries and cold temperatures are expected this weekend as Arctic air invades the region and an upper low brings the moisture.

Visibility may be reduced over the next few days.

“Accumulations are uncertain at this time as it will depend where the flurries develop but accumulating snow is likely in many areas this weekend,” wrote Environment Canada.

It says warnings will be issued as necessary.

Very cold and dry air is expected next week for the region with outflow conditions from an Arctic ridge of high pressure settling in.

Forecasters anticipate that temperatures will be five to eight degrees Celsius below seasonal.

“Watch for accumulating snow over southern Vancouver Island from Nanaimo to the Saanich Peninsula early next week,” wrote the weather agency.

The City of Port Coquitlam says it’s been preparing for the snow.

“The last number of days, we’ve brined and de-iced every single street in Port Coquitlam, that’s going to be really important if the snow does start to fall. As a first line of defense, we’ve gone through all of our mechanical work to ensure that all of our plows are in good working condition,” said Mayor Brad West.

He says all hands will be on deck if the weather worsens.

“The city has 16 plows of a variety of sizes that will be activating for any snow event, and a full complement of staff to be able to operate those for as long as required. So if we have to go through the night, that’s what we do. As long as the snow is falling, we’ll continue to be working,” said West.