Cities on B.C.’s South Coast are scrambling to prepare for an intense Pacific storm expected to bring "significant snowfall" as early as Thursday afternoon.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Tuesday, a day after the region was hit by flurries, leaving snowy roads, traffic chaos and even ice bombs in its wake.
The agency has forecast sub-zero temperatures and clear skies for the mainland and Vancouver Island for the next two days and more snow on Thursday.
Meteorologist Matt MacDonald said this system could be much stronger, bringing anywhere from five to 15 centimetres of snow.
"There's no significant warming in sight, this cold air is here to stay for quite some time – any snow that does fall will be here for quite a while," he said.
The incoming snow storm will last until at least Friday morning and will be accompanied by strong winds.
By late Friday morning, there is potential for snow at lower elevations near the water to change to rain, but accumulation will likely occur at higher elevations.
"With no significant warming trend in sight, the new snow will likely remain on the ground for several days," the alert reads.
The agency says the special weather statement could be upgraded to a weather warning as the storm details become clearer.
Trevor Smith, a meteorologist for Environment Canada, told CTV Vancouver that an incoming coastal system is responsible for the chilly weather ahead.
“We get into the much colder arctic air for Tuesday and Wednesday, so cold and sunny, overnight lows well below zero, and then the next threat for snow comes on Thursday," Smith said.
Preparations underway
A total of 41 trucks equipped with plows are salting and brining roads across Vancouver in preparation of the second wave of snow.
Another five are being repaired but are expected to be ready by Thursday.
Ken Brown, manager of streets operations, says the trucks have five main priorities: Bus routes, bridge decks, arterial road ways, emergency routes and the 15 most heavily-used bike lanes.
"We have been salting and brining throughout this week. We've been getting in extra salt deliveries all week long as well," Brown said.
The city has gone through 2,000 tonnes of salt this week so far, he added.
With predictions the front will be worse than what was experienced earlier this week, the city is urging Vancouverites to plan ahead if they're planning on heading out, including having snow tires on vehicles, checking traffic reports and dressing appropriately.
All Vancouver property owners are responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalks by 10 a.m. the day of a snow event. But homeowners may have a hard time getting their hands on shovels and salt. CTV News called several stores on Wednesday to find that they were either sold out or running out of the products.
The snow and sludge on the roads and bridges earlier this week led to a spike in claims-related calls to the Insurance Bureau of B.C.
ICBC said its Dial-a-Claim service answered 4,366 calls Monday, a 13 per cent increase compared to the first Monday in December last year.
About 78 per cent of the calls came from the Lower Mainland, while 11 per cent came from Vancouver Island, according to Sam Corea.
Compounding the problem was the fact many drivers still have summer tires on their vehicles, said Brown.
"It was a bit of a cascade effect where people were getting stuck and then it was tough for the rest of the traffic to get around," he told reporters at a briefing at the city works yard.
Transit preparedness
While TransLink took a lot of heat for their snow response earlier this week, the transit authority said it's pulling out all the stops to prepare for the next snowfall.
Many buses experienced delays or operated on limited service earlier this week because of poor road conditions, stranding riders.
This time around three de-icing trucks will treat all overhead trolley wires overnight to ensure buses can still run, according to TransLink. It says the icing trucks can treat all 300 kilometres of trolley wires in six hours.
On some routes, the larger articulated buses will be replaced with 40-foot conventional buses, because the smaller vehicles are "more nimble" in snowy conditions.
The agency urges transit riders to check their routes before heading out for the day.
On Monday, SkyTrains were temporarily stuck system-wide because of snow on the tracks that triggered alarms and the train's braking systems.
To prepare for the incoming snow, anti-icing trains spraying the power rail will be run on SkyTrain tracks to stop ice or snow building, and staff will be on platforms turning off intrusion alarms in select locations.
If there is "excessive snowfall," SkyTrains will be run through the night to keep the rails free of debris.
HandyDART will run on essential services only, such as renal or cancer appointments, but TransLink says customers already taken out will "have service to get them home."
Two staff will be sent to each HandyDART to ensure customers get safely to their door, and to assist in digging out the bus if it gets stuck.
Help for the homeless
The City of Vancouver has opened up 190 extra shelter spaces in six temporary shelters to accommodate those sleeping outside.
Its Winter Response Shelter Strategy is triggered when temperatures dip below zero degrees.
The Union Gospel Mission in the Downtown Eastside has been distributing essentials like socks and coats to those who prefer to sleep outside, but they've made up extra beds and are warning the homeless about the dangers.
"We just want to see people safe. We don't want people hurting themselves by starting a propane fire, for example," said Derek Weiss of UGM.
Electricity use has spiked 12 per cent across the province as it struggles with the arctic chill, says BC Hydro.
