Vancouver prepares for cold snap and snow
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2020 18:12:04 +0000
Vancouver is preparing for next week’s first major blast of winter, as temperatures are forecast to plunge as low as -9 C overnight Monday.
The city said, in a statement Thursday, that it is readying its snow operations and winter shelter response plans for the city’s homeless population.
It added that if it receives snow accumulations, priorities include arterials, bus routes, bridges, emergency routes, school routes and priority bike lanes.
Environment and Climate Change Canada on Thursday posted a special weather statement for snow on B.C.’s South Coast overnight Thursday and on Friday.
Snowfall amounts are expected to vary depending on elevation, but the agency says the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, and higher elevations of Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island could see more than five centimetres of snow through Friday morning. The snow is expected to change to rain near midday Friday.
More snow is possible this weekend, and then early next week, the region will be hit with “very cold Arctic air,” according to the agency.
On Monday, the region can expect below freezing temperatures, with a daytime high Monday of – 1 C, along with a chance of snow, and an overnight low of – 9 C. The cold snap is expected to continue, with a high of – 1 C and a low of – 7 Tuesday, with a chance of overnight flurries and a high of zero and snow on Wednesday.
The city of Vancouver says warming centres will be activated from Sunday to Wednesday, and all people are welcome to bring their carts and pets. Hot drinks and snacks will be available.
Since the start of winter, the city says warming centres have been open on 22 nights and have been visited 2,597 times.
These are the warming centres in the city of Vancouver that will be open during next week’s forecast cold snap.