The snowfall warning at Vancouver International Airport’s weather station may have ended, but it has swiftly been replaced by an “Arctic outflow” warning.
No sooner had Environment Canada stood down the snow event – after around 25 centimetres reportedly fell at its YVR weather station in Richmond Monday night – it filled the void with a warning about a severe wind chill over the next two days.
According to the government agency, the temperatures are going to be around -11 tonight at YVR in Richmond, but it will feel like -21 with the aforementioned Arctic outflow sweeping across Metro Vancouver.
“Strong outflow winds are bringing temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal normal, resulting in wind chill values approaching minus 20 to minus 30…” said Environment Canada in its warning.
The heavy snowfall Monday night caused chaos across the Metro Vancouver region, with public transit crawling and scores of flights cancelled at YVR.
Temperatures could feel as cold as -30 in the Fraser Valley
It added that the wind chill factor could lead to temperatures feeling as cold as -30 in the Fraser Valley over the next two days.
“Ensure that shelter is provided for pets and outdoor animals. Be prepared for unusually cold temperatures and strong winds.”
Wednesday is forecast to be mainly cloudy with just a 30 per cent chance of flurries early in the morning, before the sun makes a brief appearance.
Snow set to hit YVR, Metro Vancouver again on Thursday and Friday
But the snow is set to hit the Vancouver Airport region again on Thursday evening and Friday, with anything between five and 15 centimetres expected, depending on where you are.
Wet snow is forecast for YVR and Richmond on Christmas Eve, as the temperatures begin to climb through to a balmy six degrees on Christmas Day.
