The Tri-Cities is girding for its first snow of the season.
Environment Canada says Coquitlam might see some of "the heaviest snowfall" that's in the current 36-hour forecast.
This morning (Nov. 29), the national agency issued a new warning for the Tri-Cities predicting up to 25 cm of snow could fall at higher elevations in the region, as well as Anmore, Belcarra and parts of Port Moody.
Meanwhile, residents in lower-level neighbourhoods could receive between 10 and 20 cm of snow.
The storm is expected to roll in Tuesday afternoon.
Meteorologists are anticipating the snow to turn to rain in the early hours of Wednesday, which could cause icy roads and sidewalks.
As well, strong winds of up to 70 km/h are predicted to follow, which may result in power outages and "snow-covered tree branches to break."
"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," Environment Canada's snowfall warning reads, which was implemented after 6 a.m. today.
"Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow."
Temperatures are expected to hover around 0 C, but rise to 5 C by tomorrow afternoon.
Cities in preparation mode
Crews in various Tri-Cities municipalities are gearing up for the storm.
Coquitlam has begun its winter response. Crews will be working around the clock the next two days to plow priority routes once the snow flies.
Residents are being asked to not park along streets where "Snow Route" signs are in place to aid snow clearing efforts. The restriction takes effect at 12 p.m. today.
You can view Coquitlam's maps showing all areas affected by seasonal parking restrictions on its winterwise webpage, where you can also learn about tips for preparing for winter.
Meanwhile, Port Moody crews are also asking residents to move their vehicles off major and arterial roads, if possible, to make way for plowing and salting.
This includes transit corridors and connecting routes throughout the city.
Plowing and salting is also set to take place on high priority sidewalks, pedestrian bridge crossings and paths to civic facilities.
"Residents, strata corporations, and businesses are responsible for removing snow or ice from sidewalks and curb letdowns bordering their property within 24 hours of a snowfall or storm event," Port Moody's website explains in referring to bylaw 2426.
"Owners of private property along priority pedestrian routes are required to clear adjacent sidewalks of snow and ice by 10 a.m. every day.
For more information, you can visit the City of Port Moody's website.
Port Coquitlam says its crews have been out prepping for the incoming snowfall by salting roads and sidewalks.
It notes its priority routes include the following:
First Priority
- Arterial roads and main routes
- Steep hills
- School zones (along steep hills)
Second Priority
- Bus routes
- School zones (flat areas)
- Collector roads
Third Priority
- Residential streets leading to subdivisions
- Industrial side streets
You can find a map of the priority routes on the City of Port Coquitlam's website.
If your commute includes transit, TransLink says it's prepping for the snowfall by coordinating with cities on clearing priority routes.
The regional authority adds it also plans to:
- Call in extra staff to coordinate service
- Prepare special trucks to spread anti-icing solution on trolley wires
- Replace articulated buses with 40-foot conventional buses, when necessary, as they are more agile on steep, slippery areas
- Couple Millennium Line trains into four-car configurations to increase capacity, with SkyTrain attendants ready to monitor guideways
- Ready a special overnight SkyTrain which sprays de-icer on the power rail to keep trains moving
- with a file from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News
