Metro Vancouver is under a special weather statement for “rain mixed with snow” this week

Heads up, Vancouver. We could be in for some late-winter snowfall in parts of the Lower Mainland this week, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). So layer up and don’t put away your warm winter toques just yet!

On the morning of Monday, February 26th, a special weather statement for a “wintry mix of precipitation” was issued for Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, and the Sea to Sky Highway.

The statement is currently in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday:

“For most regions except Whistler and the Sea to Sky Highway, snow levels will be hovering near the surface, and precipitation will start as rain mixed with snow Tuesday evening. Snowfall accumulations are expected to vary greatly with elevation and proximity to the water.”

In last week’s interview with the ECCC, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Armel Castellan noted that Metro Vancouverites can expect “two or three pulses of precipitation” during the final week of February.

Depending on elevation and proximity to the ocean, this could translate to “snowfall accumulations,” according to the weather statement.

While residents shouldn’t anticipate any dramatic cold snaps as we saw in mid-January, it’s possible that Metro Vancouver will see some flurries on Monday, February 26th and Tuesday, February 27th, with temperature highs dipping slightly from 10°C to 11°C to 4°C to 6°C in the first half of the week.

On Tuesday night, there is a chance of rain or snow, with a nighttime high of 1°C. THis is also the case on Friday, March 1st, which has a 60% chance of rain showers or flurries.

Castellan previously noted that February has been close to seasonal so far, if not slightly on the warmer side for Vancouver. With a colder end to the month and the start of March, here’s to hoping we get some milder spring weather in the coming weeks!

Stay tuned for more info as it comes, including updated forecasts for this week and early March.