Abbotsford’s week of wild winter weather may soon be in the rearview mirror (even if some of those mirrors are attached to cars still in the median of Highway 1).
The city managed to escape any severe weather predicted by a winter storm warming issued Wednesday. By Thursday, that warning and a long-standing arctic outflow advisory have both been lifted by Environment Canada, and temperatures had risen to -7C as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday. (The arctic outflow advisory remained in place for Chilliwack.)
Of course, two hours after we posted this, Environment Canada issued a new snowfall warning for Abbotsford. See that story here. Read the rest of our optimist report below.
No freezing rain and minimal snow flew overnight, leaving Highway 1 passable and in its best shape this week.
But a final goodbye from Mother Nature is possible.
Snow is expected to begin around noon, with up to six centimetres expected and freezing rain also possible this evening.
“It’s just a risk of freezing rain at this point,” Environment Canada meteorologist Baljit Sekhon said just before noon on Thursday. “We’re not expecting it to be a big freezing rain event.”
Friday could also see flurries, rather than rain as predicted at the start of the week.
Environment Canada now predicts that the shift from snow to rain is likely to take place on Saturday. The ensuing days will see temperatures between 5C and 10C and rain, showers, and more rain.
RELATED: Abbotsford snowplow driver has advice for winter drivers
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
tolsen@abbynews.com