Metro Vancouverites woke up to several feet of snowfall Tuesday (Dec. 20) morning following the biggest winter storm of the year.
Downtown Vancouver received 30 cm of snowfall overnight, while other areas, such as Tsawwassen and South Surrey, received as much as 35 cm, according to Environment Canada's weather summaries.
While the snowfall warning is no longer in effect for the region, TransLink says commuters should continue to expect "considerable delays, particularly on the bus network, and avoid travelling where possible."
Locals took to social media early Tuesday morning to share images of the fresh snowfall, showcasing accumulation amounts across the city and greater Vancouver area.
One man commented, "Due to snow, Vancouver is closed," characterizing the rare weather event as "Snowmageddon 2022."
The Vancouver Public Library's Main Branch also shared an image of its location covered in snow, noting that opening hours were affected at its various branches.
Due to snow, #Vancouver is closed.#YVR #Snowmageddon2022 pic.twitter.com/AIYxVuzZDV
— Josh Goring (@whoisjken) December 20, 2022
Due to the snow, library branch opening hours may be affected today. Call your local branch before you head out.
— Vancouver Public Library (@VPL) December 20, 2022
See the latest updates: https://t.co/jk9a2LiV4z pic.twitter.com/SjcA1Lc6xg
23cm to 27cm is my average Snow Depth in Vancouver City itself this morning. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/PcX3JzD5Gd
— Brad Atchison (@Brad604) December 20, 2022
While the snow event wreaked havoc on commuters, many alpine enthusiasts were eager to take advantage of ideal conditions on the local ski hills.
An image shows a massive line-up for the bus heading up to the North Shore mountains.
If ever there was a day to go skiing… the line up of people waiting for the bus to the local #NorthShore ski hills!#ShareYourWeather #BCwx #YVRwx #BCsnow #BCcold #ArcticOutflow #BCstorm pic.twitter.com/EWItXH91hV
— Ryan Voutilainen ๐จ๐ฆ๐ซ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฆ (@RyanVoutilainen) December 20, 2022
While many buses were delayed or cancelled this morning, many cars were also stuck on the road. Someone shared a picture of a vehicle that was stuck in the middle of an intersection after its driver tried to make a right turn.
Good morning, here’s a perfect example of why you should have all season/winter tires๐ car in front got stuck trying to make a right turn pic.twitter.com/p0Trmwxsid
— ๐ณ๏ธโง๏ธRD23๐๐ค๐๐ค (@rd23lm) December 20, 2022
Places with slightly higher elevations saw many more of these issues, as tires spun out trying to push up icy inclines.
Boundary at Canada Way hill :) so many spun tires and city Van workers pushing them and sanding under wheels. Also no bus 28 can make it up pic.twitter.com/zqGEVkXrae
— Carrie McLaren (@cwalkker) December 20, 2022
Metro Vancouver weather sparks angry response from commuters
Naturally, many people were angry, with several of them lamenting the road conditions. Some of them blamed the city, nothing that roads weren't plowed.
One person said it "took twice as long to get to work" while another said that "the way this city handles snow is laughable."
Another individual summed up the snow efforts as "an award-winning level of incompetence."
knee high snow from last night's blizzard. nothing was plowed. zero bus service and 1 train every 20 minutes. it took twice as long to get to work jfc
— ollie bleat ๐ฉ๐ช๐จ๐ฆ (@Goatmosphere) December 20, 2022
Tell me why the whole main street sidewalks are shovelled but the streets next to it are all impossible to walk in since it's up to my knees bro how am I suppose to GET to the bus stop if I'm walking through a fucking tundra
— bells (@Bella_BMTH_) December 20, 2022
@TransLink anything on the 100 along Marine Drive? I live on the route and have not seen a bus go by in the past hour
— CS (@RNsomniac) December 20, 2022
The way this city handles snow is laughable
— Heather โฉ (@heatherfabia) December 20, 2022
That makes 3 snows this fall where snow removal is an epic failure, but an award winning level of incompetence. Imagine an earthquake. Or pandemic. Oh yeah, epic failure as time went on. Driving last night was a real time observation how bad it is.
— DaveyGuitr3 (@daveyguitr3) December 20, 2022
Some adults pined for their childhoods when they could simply frolic in the snow and not worry about its ramifications.
I miss snow days when u really can't do anything but play in the snow and drink hot cocoa. pic.twitter.com/hN1mlOcQFq
— Caroline Lewko (@CarolineLewko) December 20, 2022
On a brighter note, numerous good Samaritans pulled on their snow boots and broke out their shovels to help keep conditions safe for commuters and people out on walks.
Shout out to the local hero clearing the sidewalk at Oak and 16th who took a minute to clear a wedge for the bus stop. #vanpoli @TransLink pic.twitter.com/vzX2b84Mag
— Derrick O’Keefe (@derrickokeefe) December 20, 2022
Adding to the Vancouver snow pics. I just want to say to those of you that shovel your walks a heartfelt thank you and to those who choose not to, may the fleas of a 1,000 wolverines invade your armpits. pic.twitter.com/6RD7TH1LoK
— Rebecca Dart (@R_Dart) December 20, 2022
Walked to work ... played the mental game of who owns this property / business...and who did not shovel, or even try...the owner of 1001 Kingsway did not even try...and the owner is...in surprise shocking twist...COV! Huge shoutout to the very old ladies shoveling the bus stop!!
— Mount Pleasant BIA (@MountPleasantBC) December 20, 2022
And, of course, other Vancouverites made the most of the winter wonderland by fashioning the fresh snowfall into creative designs, such as a curious snow cat and an elaborate DNA molecule (full points for creativity on that one).
a cat shaped snow does a peek! pic.twitter.com/4zB5rCrIrj
— Delta Hexagon (@deltahexagon) December 20, 2022
Happy Holidays from the only person who is in the office today. Obviously you make a DNA molecule in the snow! pic.twitter.com/whArR54NBT
— Jessica Lu | ๅๆๆฝ | ๐จ๐ฆ๐น๐ผ (@JessMLu) December 20, 2022