Lower Mainland snow creates commute chaos

Whiteout conditions in the Fraser Valley and blowing snow are making driving conditions dicey Wednesday morning, as the whole Lower Mainland is blanketed by snow during the region’s latest winter storm.

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Callers to The Leader Spirit say they’ve seen vehicles spin out on side roads all over the region.

“Give yourself lots of time,” The Leader Spirit traffic anchor Ryan Lidemark said.

The Lions Gate Bridge’s centre lane is closed off until further notice, while Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley is moving slowly in both directions.

“If you have to drive this morning, give yourself double or triple the time it takes you to commute normally,” Lidemark added.

The Leader Spirit reporter Mike Lloyd says you can hear the snow hit your windshield as you drive, with the snowflakes dense.

“So far, the icy stuff coming down is making it a little greasy here [in Burnaby] on the roads. It is slippery but we’re not getting that compacting down of the ice pellets which can be a problem sometimes,” Lloyd said.

“It is a good morning to be very careful on your drive.”

The Leader Spirit Meteorologist Michael Kuss expects the snow to stick around until at least the early afternoon.

“A lot of spots are already over 10 centimetres of snow, pushing 15 in many locations,” he said just after 7 a.m.

“I wouldn’t be shocked by 20-plus cm for parts of Metro Vancouver, let alone the Valley. As you get farther to the east, 20 to 25 centimetres is not out of the question before things taper off.

“And the tapering is not going to take place until early this afternoon. Snow will be more on than off until about 10 a.m. and then becoming a little on and off as we get into that early afternoon stretch,” he added.

While many are being told to take it slow and drive to conditions, officials are urging people who don’t need to be out to avoid driving, if possible.

Listen to The Leader Spirit 1130 for weather updates after traffic every 10 minutes on the ones. You can also follow Meteorologist Michael Kuss on X and subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.