Did you get an alert on your smartphone this morning (Dec. 16) warning of snowfall in the next 24 hours or so for the Tri-Cities?
It's true, the white stuff is expected to fly this weekend.
However, it's not predicted to be as bad as the storm that brought down roughly 20 cm of snow on Nov. 29 and led to longer-than-normal commutes home for local residents.
According to Environment Canada, as of this publication (Dec. 16), flurries are expected to begin at higher elevations in the region before slowly making its way down to denser areas.
Snow may only accumulate to less than five centimetres on Saturday (Dec. 17) across of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
Clouds are set to bring rain showers that evening, as well as a low of 0 C, before turning into light snow fall Sunday morning (Dec. 18).
Shivering Siberian surge
There's then a two-day break in the current forecast until periods of snow are anticipated for Wednesday (Dec. 21).
But during that span, the Tri-Cities could experience a different kind of cold, courtesy of a glacial air flow currently making its way south from the "coldest permanently inhabited settlement on the planet."
The Weather Network is predicting the mass to arrive as early as Sunday — though not as bone-chilling as the lows seen each year in the Canadian prairies.
"Siberian air is the real deal," notes meteorologist Tyler Hamilton.
As a result, the Tri-Cities and most of the Lower Mainland will see temperatures plummet well below seasonal averages, including as low as -8 C by Tuesday (Dec. 20).
Environment Canada has since issued a special weather statement for the region in calling for strong wind chill that may lead to potentially hazardous driving conditions.
Residents are encouraged to stay bundled and to take necessary measures during this stint, such as limiting time outside and on the road, if possible.
WorkSafeBC is also encouraging employers to heed this advice for those working outdoors to avoid potential hypothermia during extreme temperatures.
"Anticipating the risks is key — as working in cold-weather conditions can lead to serious injuries if you’re not prepared," said Barry Nakahara, spokesperson for the provincial agency, in a statement today.
"For outdoor workers, cold stress injuries are an issue. Workers who drive as part of their job could be faced with hazardous road conditions, and workers from a range of industries could be impacted by slippery or wet sidewalks, walkways, and thoroughfares."
Nakahara added employers are responsible for managing risks in the workplace and taking reasonable steps to prevent injuries.
According to WorkSafeBC, there's an average 11 per cent increase in injuries during the winter months — November to March — caused by slips, trips and falls, resulting in fractures, sprains and dislocations.
- with files from Elana Shepert, Vancouver Is Awesome
