Wet snow falling on B.C.'s South Coast

It’s not time to pack up your winter boots just yet — Mother Nature is delivering fresh snow to parts of the South Coast Tuesday afternoon.

Environment Canada issued special weather statements for communities throughout Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler and the Sea to Sky Highway.

Environment Canada meteorologist Derek Lee says the region is currently gripped by cool air that is colliding with a warm and wet Pacific system, bringing two to five centimetres of snow.

“Locations near the water like Richmond will see less accumulations, whereas if you were in Burnaby and further inland to Surrey and Langley, we can definitely see some higher accumulations because it’s a little bit colder,” said Lee.

Environment Canada says “a wintry mix of precipitation” will likely hit late Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.

Lee predicted the snowfall could cause some traffic headaches.

“Because it is falling during the commute time, things can get a little bit messy with roads being a little slushy and slippery at times,” he said, before reminding drivers to slow down and drive with caution.

People are pictured walking through a period of snowfall on Tuesday. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The snow isn’t expected to last for long. Lee says temperatures are set to rise again Wednesday, bringing rain and washing away the snow.

“It’s one of those events that … quickly comes and quickly melts,” he said.