If you put your shovel away after the last big snowfall in Burnaby, you may want to pull it back out.
Burnaby residents could find themselves digging out from under the white stuff one more time, as Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of impending heavy snowfall over Metro Vancouver — including Burnaby and New Westminster.
Environment Canada says a "significant weather system" will push across the South Coast this weekend, bringing widespread snow to the region.
Periods of light snow are expected to start on Saturday and intensify to heavy snow Saturday night, with the heavy snow easing off on Sunday morning for most areas.
And they're not kidding about "heavy" — though amounts remain unpredictable and will vary around the region, Environment Canada is predicting from 10 to 20 centimetres, with as much as 30 cm on higher terrain.
As a result, Lower Mainland residents should expect "challenging travel conditions," so leave the car at home if you can.
Watch for warnings to be issued as the weather system moves closer.
How does the City of Burnaby deal with snow?
During snow and ice conditions, the city says its engineering department is prepared and ready to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Our crews clear snow and ice using salt, brine solution, plows and abrasives to keep our community safe and healthy," the city's website says.
The city clears the following routes, in order of priority:
- main arterial streets such as Lougheed, Kingsway and Canada Way;
- emergency response routes;
- bus routes and collector streets;
- streets bordering senior and long-term care facilities;
- local roads with slopes that have only one outlet and limited access;
- local roads bordering elementary schools.
Snow removal routes are established based on traffic volume, speed, road classification, road terrain, and accessibility by transit and emergency services, the city notes.
You can find details at Burnaby's snow removal routes map.
Residents are also reminded that property owners and occupiers are responsible for clearing snow on the sidewalks or pathways in front of their property by 10 a.m. on the day following a snowfall.
Check out the City of Burnaby snow webpage for more.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
