Metro Vancouver could get a strong hint of wintry weather this weekend, with snow in the region's weekend forecast.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Friday, Dec. 8, cautioning that a frontal system moving into the South Coast is set to bring rain and snow Saturday morning and afternoon before transitioning back to rain that night.
Most of Metro Vancouver will be spared much grief from the snow, according to the weather agency. "Wet snow may reach sea level but, generally, no significant accumulation is expected for most areas," notes Environment Canada in its statement.
However, at higher elevations, such as the North Shore, Coquitlam, and Burnaby Mountain, snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 cm are possible.
Hazardous driving conditions are expected along the Sea to Sky Highway, particularly north of Squamish and into Whistler, where flurries will persist rather than give way to rain. Drivers are urged to check DriveBC for current road conditions.
In Vancouver on Saturday, V.I.A.'s Downtown Centre Weatherhood station forecasts a high of 5 C and rain, while to the southwest in Dunbar, the high should hit 4 C, with some snow in the late afternoon or evening.
Across the Metro region that same day, the North Capilano Weatherhood station is calling for a high of 3 C with snow, as is Surrey City Centre and Pitt Meadows. Richmond's Terra Nova and South Delta's Ladner could see some wet snow Saturday, with a daytime high of 4 C.
Warmer temperatures in 7-day Metro Vancouver forecast
While initially, meteorologists saw some below-zero overnight temps in next week's forecast, it appears the strong warming that will begin Saturday evening - taking those wet flurries back to rainfall - will see to it our overnight lows stay above 0 C in Metro Vancouver.
Rain is expected to last through Sunday in the region, giving way to clouds and sun on Monday, with a balmy December high of 9 C. The average high temperature for December 11 in Metro Vancouver is 6.6. C.
