No snow warnings but warming weather could be another problem in Metro Vancouver

Dec 12, 2016 | 2:18 PM

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s Transportation Ministry is warning that warming temperatures following a bout of wintry weather could cause traffic snarls in Metro Vancouver today.

The province has closed the Alex Fraser Bridge between New Westminster and Delta, saying the combination of snow buildup and rising temperatures creates a safety concern.

The ministry says in a release that snow and ice could shed from the bridge’s cables and fall onto vehicles below.

It’s unclear when the bridge will be re-open.

The closure follows 30 reports from motorists whose vehicles were damaged by falling snow and ice as they crossed the Alex Fraser last week. The bridge was also closed for most of the day on Sunday.

It’s been a chilly, snow-filled week for many residents of southern British Columbia, and some people awoke to fresh flakes on Monday.

Snowfall warnings that were in effect for Metro Vancouver and areas in the Fraser Valley were cancelled Monday morning.

The overnight snow dump prompted multiple school closures in Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Tsawwassen.

BC Hydro says it’s working to restore power to customers in Surrey and White Rock after a tree fell on some wires.

But Simon Fraser University students will still have to write their exams because all three campuses, in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver, are open.

Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald says a whopping 60 centimetres of snow fell in Hope, Squamish got 25 centimetres, while 12 centimetres of snow accumulated in North Delta.

MacDonald says cooler temperatures are expected this week, with the mercury dipping to —9C overnight tomorrow.

He says there’s a low chance of some flurries in the region on Thursday, and the next notable storm may arrive around Dec. 20.

As for a white Christmas, he says that depends on the area.

“We’ve only had snow on the ground one out of 10 years in Vancouver at Christmas but given all the snow we’ve had recently and the cold outlook, we’re not going to be losing all the snow that’s on the ground right now.”

MacDonald says the long-term outlook calls for temperatures that may be slightly cooler than normal until about the middle of January.