B.C. is warning residents across the province to be prepared for an incoming winter storm for Friday and Saturday (Dec. 10-11).
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Tri-Cities for heavy rain, as much as 60 mm in the 48-hour period, plus strong winds that could gust up to 80 km/h.
According to meteorologists with the national service, a moist Pacific frontal system moving towards the south coast is set to be the cause of the inclement forecast.
"Strong southeasterly winds switch to strong southwesterly winds early Saturday morning. The strongest winds of 60 gusting 80 are expected for areas along the Strait of Georgia Friday night into early Saturday morning," reads a statement from 11 a.m. today (Dec. 9).
"The heavy precipitation and strong winds will start to ease Saturday morning. However, periods of heavy snow will persist over Coquihalla Summit and Allison Pass through Saturday."
Up to 25 cm of snow is expected for Whistler and interior communities.
Rain will be the predominant factor in the system headed to Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra by the weekend.
Temperatures are also set to remain below 10 C for the next several days.
The City of Coquitlam is urging construction and development sites to take all precautions for the storm, including erosion and sediment control measures.
Disturbed surfaces should be well protected and catch basin filters should be cleared of debris or removed in areas prone to flooding," says environment services spokesperson Bela Piocza.
Coquitlam saw a total of 756 mm of rain for the month of November at its gauge atop of Burke Mountain and saw as much as 22 mm in accumulation on Tuesday (Dec. 7).
For commercial and essential travellers, Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is urging extreme caution on the roads and highways leading out of thw Lower Mainland as snowfall and reduced visibility are expected.
"The storm is expected to affect a section of Highway 3 near Manning Provincial Park, between Hope and Princeton," reads an EMBC news release.
"The corridor is currently the main commercial trucking connection between the Lower Mainland and the Interior and is under a non-essential travel order. Commercial and essential vehicle drivers should be aware and prepared for strong winter storm conditions."
You can go to DriveBC for road and traffic alerts.
