City preparing for potential heavy snowfall this weekend

The latest Vancouver forecasts are showing a likelihood of significant snowfall across the city this Saturday and Sunday.

To prepare, City crews have been out treating all major routes with brine and/or salt. Staff and equipment will be available around around-the-clock over the weekend as needed. 

With as much as 30 centimetres in the forecast, we encourage residents to only take essential trips and to take safety precautions if they need to drive. There are many things you can do to help keep our city safe in the event of snow:  

• If you must travel, plan travel according to our prioritized winter maintenance plan.
• If you need to be on the roads, travel with caution and please give way to, or stay at a safe distance when following a plow, salt or brine truck.
• If your car is parked on a major route, please move it to a side street to make room for plows.
• Remove snow before it hardens to ice. Vancouver property owners and tenants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks that surround their property by 10 am on the morning when there are freezing temperatures or snow on the ground. 
• If you are unable to clear your walk and have no other alternatives, you are encouraged to sign up for the Snow Angel Program where volunteers are matched with people with mobility issues to help clear their sidewalks.
• Learn about preparing an emergency kit for your car External website, opens in new tab and what to do if you get stuck
• Check Translink for transit updates External website, opens in new tab and the Provincial Drive BC website External website, opens in new tab to plan travel on highways and commuter bridges exiting Vancouver.
• Learn about sustainable salt use to help protect our pets, vehicles, infrastructure and waterways.

Extreme Weather Response Shelters and Warming Centres

The City is committed to ensuring all residents have a safe, warm, place to come inside during cold months. Each location is managed by experienced and professional non-profit housing and shelter operators. Those looking for shelter space can call 2-1-1 to check availability. 

Extreme Weather Response Shelters provide mats to sleep on and are open during extreme rain, wind, snow or when the temperature feels like 0°C or below. Depending on the location, visitors to these warm spaces may bring their pets, bikes and carts with them. 

Together with our partners, the City has activated a variety of warming centres to encourage people to come in from the cold.

Warming centres are open when the temperature feels like -4°C or below or actual temperature of -5°C as a life-saving measure for people sleeping outside. While they are not set up with beds or mats, hot drinks and snacks are available overnight. The most up-to-date information can be found on the City’s social media channels, and at https://mobile.twitter.com/ewrmetrovan External website, opens in new tab.

Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Shelters and Warming Centres are in addition to Temporary Winter Shelters, which are open every night between November and March. A document listing all available spaces is available on the City of Vancouver website and our social media channels are updated regularly.

The City extends its appreciation to the community organizations who make their spaces available to activate as Warming Centres and Extreme Weather Response Shelters.