Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Tri-City area, advising people in the area to prepare for adverse conditions due to a mix of rain and snow.
With weather reports calling for snow on and off across Metro Vancouver over the next few days, municipalities are urging residents to get ready for winter.
City crews have begun their winter response in Coquitlam and said they will be monitoring roads 24/7 in case additional resources are necessary.
If snow falls, engineering staff said they would focus on plowing priority routes, focusing on arterials, collectors, bus routes and streets around schools before moving on to roads with less traffic.
They are also reminding residents to shovel their walks within 10 hours of the snow stopping and assist any neighbours who may need a helping hand. Residents are asked not to shovel snow on to the road, as it will likely end up back on the sidewalk when the plows come through.
Garbage collection can also become an issue when winter weather hits. If a garbage or green cart, or blue box has not been collected on the scheduled date, the city said it needs to be taken back inside and placed on the curb the next day.
"If it still isn't collected, please bring them in again and wait until your next regularly scheduled collection day," the city said in a press release.
Other tips include:
• shutting off the outside water to protect outdoor faucets and plumping from freezing;
• assessing trees and trimming dead branches that could be dangerous in a storm;
• cleaning catch basins and grates near the property to prevent flooding;
• taking transit if you're not comfortable driving in snowy weather;
• ensuring your vehicle is winterized and ready for all road conditions.
While school closures are unlikely, the decision on whether facilities are kept open are made before 6:30 a.m. Tune in to CKNW (AM 980), CKWX (AM 1130) and CBC (690) for updates or check the School District 43 website at www.sd43.bc.ca.
For more information about dealing with the effects of winter weather, go to www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise or www.coquitlam.ca/winterprep. For alerts regarding garbage service disruptions, go to coquitlam.ca/recollect or call 604-927-3500.
For specific details regarding weather responses and regulations in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca or www.portmoody.ca.
A cold turn
Matt MacDonald, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said what locals should expect over the coming week.
"We will be struggling to get up to 3°C over the next few days," MacDonald said. "But true arctic air will reach the coast on Sunday."
MacDonald reports that temperatures could dip as low as -10°C Monday, with a chilly daytime high of -1°C. Further, blustery winds will make temperatures feel decidedly colder.
"Monday and Tuesday will see some strong easterly winds move through the Fraser Valley," he explains.
MacDonald adds that blustery 40 km/h winds can make -9°C or -10°C temperatures feel as cold as -20.
The Weather Network is predicting a chance of snowfall Thursday eveing, as well Sunday and Monday.
Temperatures are expected to dip throughout next week. By Friday, there's another good chance of snow.
Transit plan
With the likelihood of rain overnight and snow in the early morning hours, TransLink is readying for a potentially messy morning commute.
“This sequence of precipitation will not allow for early salting and sanding as the materials will wash away before snow hits,” the transit authority said in a press release. “We are encouraging customers to dress for the elements and use proper footwear to avoid slips and falls.”
In anticipation of snow, TransLink says it is:
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Calling in extra staff to assist customers and coordinate service.
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Coordinating with municipalities on snow clearing if priority routes are impacted.
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Coupling Millennium Line trains into four-car configurations to increase capacity while SkyTrain attendants monitor guideways.
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Deploying special trucks to spread anti-icing solution on trolley wires.
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Stalling brass “cutters” on some trolley buses to cut through ice on trolley wires.
If conditions are severe, TransLink says it will:
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Replace articulated buses with 40-foot conventional buses when necessary, as they are more agile on steep, slippery areas.
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Install tire socks on buses on Burnaby Mountain and on key North Shore routes where hills and traction are an issue.
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Position attendants at the front of each Expo and Millennium Lines train to improve reliability on the system by limiting emergency braking triggered by heavy snowfall.
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Run a special SkyTrain that sprays de-icer on the power rail to keep trains moving.
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Run trains through the night if snow is especially heavy, to keep tracks clear.
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Send HandyDART out with two staff per vehicle, to ensure customers get safely to their door, and assist in digging out the bus if required.
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Activate further staff increases to assist customers right across the system.
—With files from The Vancouver Courier & Vancouver is Awesome
