If you were expecting a gift delivered by mail, it may be delayed this week as a result of the latest snow storm.
Canada Post has temporarily suspended its services in the Tri-Cities and Metro Vancouver after 20 cm of snow fell on the region and 30 cm at higher elevations this morning (Dec. 20).
The national agency's red service alert took effect at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time and applies for recipients in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
In a release, Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu explained the snow and icy conditions have made conditions difficult for agents and vehicles.
"Delivery will resume once conditions improve and it’s safe to do so," she said.
"The safety of our employees is our number one priority. An alert can be issued for a particular community or an entire province, depending on the weather event."
City crews have been working around the clock to clear priority routes for emergency vehicles and transit.
And while residents wait for their local roads to be cleared, municipalities and Canada Post are encouraging residents to shovel their driveways and sidewalks so neighbours can get around with ease.
"We encourage customers to clear the ice from their walkways, stairs, and driveways, to ensure safe access to the front door for both their visitors, as well as their mail carriers, when service resumes," added Liu.
For more information or questions about mail delivery, you can contact Canada Post's Customer Service team by phone at 1-866-607-6301 or via their website.
Meanwhile, Environment Canada has issued an arctic outflow warning as temperatures are expected to drop as low as -25 C with wind chill between today and Thursday (Dec. 22).
Meteorologists say a cold air mass is heading towards the Tri-Cities, set to include strong outflow winds that'll bring the mercury below seasonal norms.
There's also a 30 per cent chance of flurries, the national agency's latest forecast reads.
At day's peak, the high is expected to reach -10 C during the outflow alert.
