Vancouver (WWN)- It’s been decades since temperatures this cold has been forecast for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Beginning Sunday, a massive amount of cold air will be flooding from the Interior bring windchills and very cold temperatures.
A special weather statement for Snow is in effect for Lower Mainland for this evening and tomorrow for up to 5cm of snow.
Some models are forecasting -10°C for the high on Tuesday for inland areas of Metro Vancouver. Some parts of the Valley are expected to be colder the -11 without the windchill for the high with lows around -15 or colder.
Snow is forecast for Sunday and late next week with the possibility of a huge snowstorm late next week with more cold staying into late January.
In the winter of 2008-09, Metro Vancouver had a prolonged period of cold and snow. December 2008 saw the most snow recorded in the city with over 24 cm recorded during the week before Christmas. During that year, the Fraser River froze almost completely causing the cancellation of the former Albion Ferry between Maple Ridge and Fort Langley. The ferry closed down in June 2009 upon the opening of Golden Ears Bridge that same month.
2016-2017 brought tons of snow including the now-famous New Years’ Eve snowstorm which brought almost a foot of snow to Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley causing accidents and school closures.
February 2019, had tons of snow, especially in the Surrey-Langley area. The Surrey Schools closed for at least 5 days due to heavy snowfall. One snow event last year brought almost a foot of snow in one evening.
Tips on How to Survive The Cold
With cold weather conditions being forecast, there are some tips that you can take to make your life easier and other people as well.
1. Bundle up with layers of clothing. The best way to survive the cold is to wear layers with a long sleeve shirt, layers of sweaters and a windbreaker jacket to provide protection from the wind. A toque and gloves are highly recommended as well as long-johns.
2. Keep your car filled with supplies. During a winter storm, make sure that you have winter tires and supplies like extra food, clothing, jumper cables and cones. It’s also very good to make sure that your gas tank or charge level is above half.
3. Make sure that your house is ready for the cold. Make sure that any outside values are turned off so you don’t get an unwanted surprise when the temperatures warm up. Make sure that your heating system works so that you and your family are not freezing especially during the night time.
4. Check on your neighbours especially the elderly and the disabled to make sure that they are doing well. Offer to clear their sidewalks, driveway or pathway if there’s snow or ice on the ground.
5. Most cities have snow Removal bylaws which snow has to be removed off of a sidewalk in front of the building. The city of Vancouver, for example, can fine the home or business owner if the snow is not clear by 10 am after a snowfall.
