Unexpected snowfall in Vancouver
METRO VANCOUVER - Ten centimetres of snow has fallen across the Lower Mainland, and road conditions are treacherous.
Last night people were left stranded as TransLink buses were few and far between.
Snow started falling in Vancouver's downtown core at Waterfront Station at around 10 p.m. and by midnight it was starting to pile up.
Transit wires are down at Granville and 70th, leading to trolley buses being unable to complete their journey, and some drivers have simply parked their vehicles rather than navigate the snowy roads. According to Translink, downtown Vancouver and Coquitlam took the brunt of the transit delays. Some riders reported being left stranded with no means of escape from the downtown core, as cabs are in short supply.
Environment Canada is forecasting two to four more centimetres, with a low of -9 C on Sunday. The wind chill will be -8 with easterly winds hitting 32 km/h.
There were at least four accidents on major thoroughfares last night. Reports indicated that Translink drivers were told to avoid parts of bus routes that involve hills if conditions are considered too dangerous, which may have left hundreds of late night partiers stranded across the city.
Drivers are advised to take care and to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.
