UPDATE (2:48 p.m.):
The snowfall warning has ended for Metro Vancouver but more slush and wet snow is still in the forecast across the Fraser Valley.
In an updated weather warning Friday afternoon, Environment Canada said that an additional five centimetres of wet snow was expected to fall from Abbotsford to Hope.
Meanwhile, a wind warning is in effect for Metro Vancouver.
“Strong southerly winds near Tsawwassen and Boundary Bay have begun to ease but are expected to remain blustery through tonight,” the national weather agency said.
Snowfall has tapered off for most of the South Coast, but there are new Wind Warnings for western Metro Vancouver & Greater Victoria.
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) January 10, 2020
Details on these warnings and more in B.C... https://t.co/AOdx0frmVE#BCStorm 🌨️💨❄️ pic.twitter.com/zcMDSWCpAR
Winds of 90 kilometres per hour are expected near the water, including in Richmond, Delta and Tsawwassen. Winds will reach 50 kilometres per hour inland, but are expected to ease late in the afternoon.
On Friday morning, the season’s first snowfall in the region made for a slippery commute to work and school for many.
Falling ice forced the temporary closure of the Alex Fraser Bridge, while commuters reported windshield damage from driving over the Port Mann bridge.
Wow. This as #AlexFraserBridge also shut down (now reopen one lane northbound, two lanes southbound) due to falling ice. @NorDelReporter @SurreyNowLeader @BlackPressMedia
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) January 10, 2020
DETAILS: https://t.co/OUEWCEGWHP https://t.co/PqCeWpUeaw
Between five to 25 centimetres of snowfall was expected to accumulate by noon Friday at higher elevations.
“An intense Pacific frontal system is producing snow over Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley this morning,” the weather agency reported at the time.
The highest accumulation was anticipated over the North Shore and the northeast region of Metro Vancouver. Higher elevations of West and North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey and Maple Ridge were expected to receive five to 15 centimetres of snowfall. .
Environment Canada is reminding commuters to adjust their driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be reduced at time in heavy snow.
Snowfall:
Snow falling in the Lower Mainland WUJ - Precipitation Depiction 7:01 AM MST #wawx #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/TqaasIriKh
— Brandon Houck (@HouckisPokise) January 10, 2020
Sure is pretty though. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/p6487REjQp
— Chris Coburn (@TheChrisCoburn) January 10, 2020
Light dusting in downtown Maple Ridge, quite slushy. But forecast is looking like it’s going to get cold by mid-Tuesday @MapleRidgeNews @BlackPressMedia pic.twitter.com/5AgRgR64OM
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) January 10, 2020
Meanwhile, in #SurreyBC @SurreyNowLeader pic.twitter.com/BlU507F5gL
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) January 10, 2020
BC Ferries:
A number of BC Ferries sailings were cancelled Friday morning, impacting commuters across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
For full sailing details, click here.
#ServiceNotice #Tsawwassen - #SwartzBay #SpiritofVancouverIsland #CoastalRenaissance have cancelled sailings due to adverse weather. The 7am & 9am from both #Tsawwassen & #SwartzBay have been cancelled. More info here: https://t.co/WnX1DNX5Tb ^oj
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) January 10, 2020
School information:
Despite the early-morning snowfall, no school districts announced closures Friday.
Schools are OPEN today! If you feel your local conditions make it unsafe for your child to travel to school, please notify the school's front office. ☃️
— School District 43 (@sd43bc) January 10, 2020
School Status Alert: All schools in the Langley School District are OPEN to staff and students today. School buses are operating as normal. @CKNW @NEWS1130 @Country1071 @CBCVancouver @pulse1077 @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver
— Langley Schools (@LangleySchools) January 10, 2020
Well, well #AbbySchools... looks like we received some of the white stuff overnight!❄️Our Facilities Team is already out clearing and salting sidewalks, but please take your time and use caution as you head to school today! #Abbotsford pic.twitter.com/0OtbgHT0tC
— Abbotsford Schools (@AbbotsfordSD) January 10, 2020
All #SD42 Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows public schools are OPEN today, Friday, January 10. All regular buses are on regular routes. #MapleRidge #pittmeadows pic.twitter.com/cqKLthxkQC
— School District 42 (@sd42news) January 10, 2020
All Richmond public schools are open today, Friday, January 10. #SD38 #RichmondBC
— Richmond Schools (@RichmondSD38) January 10, 2020
Weather Update: Jan 10, 5:30am -
— British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) (@bcit) January 10, 2020
BCIT campuses are OPEN today. All classes and exams will proceed as scheduled.
Due to inclement road conditions, we recommend allotting extra time for your commute, and wearing appropriate winter apparel. Travel safe! https://t.co/UCdKEUHASk
It’s snowing, travel with care & allow extra time to get to campus. Follow @TransLink & check https://t.co/s9I0q6OhCb & https://t.co/k40teUUqbP for commuting conditions.
— Simon Fraser University (@SFU) January 10, 2020
Monitor https://t.co/4ydSZlOn0N & @SFU on Twitter for campus updates during winter weather. pic.twitter.com/d7PMKRd3VI
DriveBC advice:
#BCHwys Good morning motorists! Remember to leave longer following distances today to allow more room and time to stop. Speed limit maximums are for ideal conditions, stay safe out there! #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/YJM5uPVrts
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) January 10, 2020