The first significant snow dump of winter covered Metro Vancouver and its surroundings on February 2, 2025, resulting in severe disruptions throughout the British Columbia coastal region. Residents woke up to find their neighborhoods blanketed by snow, and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) warned of potentially more to come, forecasting as much as 25 centimeters of snow.
By Sunday morning, ECCC had issued snowfall warnings for not just Metro Vancouver but also western and central Vancouver Island and parts of the Sunshine Coast. The warnings extended to the northern and central coasts, which faced Arctic outflow conditions, leading to wind chills as chilling as -20 to -25 degrees Celsius until at least Tuesday.
“There looks like there's going to be a break [Sunday] afternoon,” remarked Alyssa Charbonneau, meteorologist with ECCC. “Temperature is expected to rise just above freezing, so we could start to see some mixed precipitation as well [Sunday] afternoon.” This temporary reprieve was only to be followed by more snowfall Sunday night and Monday morning, with forecasts predicting five to ten additional centimeters across the Lower Mainland.
Despite the expected break, the travel conditions became treacherous, with transit authorities working tirelessly to clear roads for motorists. By mid-morning on February 2, around two dozen flights had been canceled at Vancouver International Airport, prompting the airport to advise passengers to check their flight statuses prior to heading out.
Charbonneau explained the weather patterns, attributing the heavy snowfall to Arctic air pushing its way down to the coast and interacting with moisture from the Pacific Ocean. This dynamic left many residents wondering about the practicality of commuting under challenging weather conditions.
Positioned between Mountain Highway and Lynn Valley Road on the Trans Canada Highway, DriveBC reported multiple vehicles had gotten stuck due to the treacherous conditions. The province attributed the traffic disruptions to drivers venturing onto roadways without the recommended winter tires or chains, urging commuters on the South Coast to remain vigilant and travel with appropriate winter gear.
“The Ministry of Transportation and Transit's maintenance contractor did 30 passes of the corridor throughout the morning to stay on top of winter conditions until hindered by spun-out vehicles,” stated the Ministry. Officials reiterated their advice for residents to stay indoors if possible and to prioritize safety during the adverse weather.
Recent snowfall levels, especially across northern areas, have seen even higher accumulations, with certain regions near the North Shore receiving upwards of 30 centimeters. While this would undoubtedly create hazardous traveling conditions, Charbonneau noted, “If the snow accumulates on your sidewalks or pathways, it could linger and become quite icy.”
Through Monday, the promise of more heavy snowfall loomed, with Metro Vancouver expecting scattered snow showers to subside by afternoon. Nevertheless, parts of Vancouver Island were poised to face even more substantial snowfall, particularly regions such as Tofino and Ucluelet, both of which anticipated substantial accumulation due to localized weather effects.
And there's been more good news for the province's ski resorts, benefiting from the fresh snow. The predicted weather pattern suggests the new snowfall will help replenish ski hills, bringing winter to coastal sections of British Columbia, which had seen little of it earlier this season.
Enduring below-seasonal temperatures accompanied the snowfall, with experts projecting continued chilly weather throughout the week. After the snowfall has eased, daytime highs are poised to remain far below normal, leading to even colder conditions as the snow begins to melt.
Community leaders and residents are encouraged to monitor local weather alerts regularly and adhere to any travel advisories during this chaotic winter period. The immediate impacts of the snowfall — from flight cancellations to treacherous road conditions — clearly highlight the need for preparedness as British Columbia faces another winter storm.