Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Environment Canada is forecasting anywhere from 10-30 centimetres of snow will fall this Saturday. Heavy snow is forecast for Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Hope, Environment Canada said in a special weather statement Thursday afternoon (Feb. 23).
Heavy snow Saturday

Heavy snow in the forecast for Chilliwack on Saturday night: Environment Canada

Feb 23, 2023 | 9:19 PM

CHILLIWACK — Old Man Winter might be back with a vengeance this weekend.

Environment Canada said in a special weather statement Thursday afternoon (Feb. 23) that anywhere from 10-30 centimetres of snow will fall starting this Saturday in Chilliwack, Hope and Abbotsford.

Heavy snow is expected Saturday night for the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, and the Sea to Sky highway from Squamish to Whistler.

Environment Canada says a significant weather system will push across the South Coast this weekend bringing widespread snow to the region. Periods of light snow are expected to start sometime Saturday and escalate to heavy snow Saturday night. Periods of heavy snow are expected to ease by Sunday morning for most regions, Environment Canada said.

“Due to the variability in the track of the low pressure system and the strength of the Arctic outflow winds, there is some uncertainty associated with the exact snowfall amounts,” Environment Canada wrote in a special weather statement. “Current guidance suggests total snow accumulations of 10 to 20 cm with near 30 cm possible over upslope regions and higher terrain.

Warnings will be issued as the event draws closer. The national weather agency urges motorists to brace for challenging travel conditions Saturday night to Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to hover around the freezing mark Saturday daytime before dipping to -1 Saturday night. Warmer temperatures of six degrees are forecast for Sunday daytime.