Winter Storm Warning Issued

Snow Mixed with Freezing Rain

The following warning was issued by Environment Canada at 10:55 am PST Thursday Jan. 19, 2012.

Summary
Snowfall amounts from 5 to 15 cm are expected to be mixed with freezing rain tonight and Friday morning. This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

Details
An Arctic ridge of high pressure over the British Columbia interior is producing strong outflow winds through coastal valleys and inlets. The strong outflow winds in combination with very cold air are producing wind chill values exceeding minus 20 degrees for much of the BC coast with values ranging from minus 35 to 40 reported on the north coast. Wind chill values over the south coast will increase to above minus 20 later today. A significant winter storm with snow, areas of strong winds and possible freezing rain is expected tonight and Friday. Snow will begin over Haida Gwaii, Central Coast - coastal sections and North Coast - coastal sections tonight where 10 to 15 cm will fall by Friday morning. A further 10 cm is expected for North Coast - coastal sections on Friday. In addition very strong outflow winds gusting to 90 km/h combined with new snow will create blizzard conditions over North Coast - inland sections tonight through Friday. Strong southeast winds of 90 km/h will develop over North Vancouver Island early Friday morning. On Friday there will be a transition to mild and moist Pacific air over the south coast due to a southwesterly flow. A significant snowfall of 5 to 15 cm is expected for most of the south coast. Most areas can expect snow to become mixed with freezing rain as the changeover to rain occurs. A period of extended freezing rain is expected for eastern portions of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound. WWW.WEATHEROFFICE.GC.CA Road conditions can be monitored at WWW.DRIVEBC.CA. You can send us reports of severe weather on twitter, using the #bcstorm hashtag. Please be sure to include your location.