Environment Canada renews snowfall warning for B.C.‘s Fraser Valley

Overnight flurries mean poor driving conditions Monday morning – and the snow isn’t over for some parts of the Lower Mainland.

Environment Canada renewed a snowfall warning for the Fraser Valley Monday morning, with Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope expected to see 10 to 20 centimetres of snow.

“The highest amounts will occur along a band of snow that will slide across the Fraser Valley,” wrote the weather agency in a bulletin.

The flurries are expected to taper off later in the morning.

“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions,” wrote Environment Canada.

Heavy snowfall forced the closure of all schools in Abbotsford and Mission Monday, though Chilliwack remained open. For the full list of closures, check here.

Video posted to X early Monday morning showed blowing snow and poor visibility due to high winds. An arctic outflow warning has been issued for Hope.

“An arctic airmass combined with very strong outflow winds will give low wind chill values near minus 20 this morning. Conditions will improve this afternoon as temperatures rise,” wrote Environment Canada.

The agency warns that frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors.

It urges people to minimize exposed skin with hats, scarves and mittens or gloves.

Arctic outflow warnings are issued when bitterly cold air flows from the interior to coastal communities and the outflow winds create wind chill values of -20 C or less for 6 hours or more.

Though the weather warnings have ended for Metro Vancouver, driving conditions are still not ideal.

Drivers are being reminded to slow down, and leave plenty of time on their commutes to avoid getting into an accident.