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New winter storm warning: more snow expected for Fraser Valley, freezing rain possible

Blowing snow advisory remains in place for Abbotsford and Chilliwack
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A person pulls a shopping cart through the snow on Alexander Avenue in Chilliwack on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)

This story is from Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. For the latest weather story for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2021, click here.

A new winter storm advisory has been put in place for Abbotsford and Chilliwack, with more snow set to blanket the Fraser Valley Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

“Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions,” Environment Canada warned just after noon on Wednesday.

The warning says the region could see significant amounts of snow. There is also a potential for freezing rain Wednesday evening.

“An Arctic ridge of high pressure over the BC Interior combined with a low pressure system approaching the BC Coast will produce strong outflow winds through the Fraser Valley. The winds combined with cold temperatures will produce wind chill values of minus 20 or colder today,” the advisory states.

“The strong outflow winds combined with periods of snow, and plenty of snow on ground, will will significantly reduce visibility over parts of the Fraser Valley today and tonight. The approaching low offshore will produce a layer of warm air above the surface. This layer of warm air combined with freezing temperatures at the surface will give potential for freezing rain to develop tonight.”

Up to 10 centimetres of snow is possible on Thursday, in addition to that which may fall Wednesday.

Drivers are urged to not drive until conditions improve, as visibility may be reduced to zero.

The Weather Network says Abbotsford and Chilliwack can expect about 10-15 centimetres over the next 36 hours.

Similar amounts of snow are expected for the rest of the Fraser Valley.

The westbound lanes of Highway 1 between Chilliwack and Abbotsford were re-opened around 1 p.m. Wednesday, although eastbound lanes remained closed.

The City of Abbotsford opened a “warming centre” for stranded motorists at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre on McMillan Road to wait out the poor weather.

COLUMN: How to drive on an icy highway (and, maybe, save yourself from the tailgater behind you)

Forecasters with both say the snow is expected to change to rain on Friday. It’s expected that rain will continue through the middle of next week, with temperatures rising as high as 10C.

An arctic outflow warning and blowing snow advisory remain in place for both Chilliwack and Abbotsford.

RELATED: Highway 1 shut down in Abbotsford, Chilliwack due to whiteout, blowing snow

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