Winter is (finally) coming.
From Mother Nature with love, or discontent, snowfall appears to be the imminent gift for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»to start the month of February.
It'll start in small increments with Weatherhood predicting less than half a centimetre for downtown by Saturday, Feb. 1, and 2 cm by Sunday.
Those living near UBC and the Jericho area will witness more snow in the amount of 10 to 15 cm by Sunday night.
More than 5 cm of the white stuff is in Monday's forecast at a 60 per cent chance, according to the latest data.
This is the first what could be a very frosty February, experts tell V.I.A.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Lisa Erven said the weather models show a 40 to 60 per cent chance of near- or below-normal temperatures this month.
"It will be interesting to see what will happen this weekend with temperatures 3 C to 5 C degrees below normal," she noted.
"Regardless, this is the time to pull out the warm-weather gear."
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»weekend forecast: February 1-2, 2025
In Vancouver, Weatherhood is forecasting the mercury to drop as low as -10 C by Wednesday.
For this weekend, daily highs, with help from a peeking sun, will reach 3 C downtown, 4 C in South Vancouver and Killarney, and 5 C in Hastings-Sunrise.
Winds at around 15 km/h will keep thermometers on the chilly side. Nightly temperatures will dip to or below 0 C.
Residents are encouraged to be prepared when venturing outside, including dressing warmly, driving for the conditions and allowing extra time to arrive at a destination.
City extreme weather alert
As a result of the expected freezing temperatures, the City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»has once again extended and expanded on its extreme weather response.
This now includes public warning centres open Sunday and Monday:
Powell Street Getaway
- Hours of operation: 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- All genders, couples are welcome (pets, bikes and carts are OK)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
- Includes an Overdose Prevention Site
Bud Osborne Shelter, Warming Centre
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- All genders (pets OK, storage available but cannot accept carts)
Chinatown Peace Church
- Hours of operation: 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- Drop-in site
- All genders, couples are welcome (bikes and carts are OK)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
Mt. Pleasant Community Centre
- Hours of operations: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sunday), 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Monday)
- All genders, couples are welcome (pets OK)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Community Services Office
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- All genders, couples are welcome (bikes and carts are OK)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
Odd Fellows Hall
- Hours of operations: 9:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Drop-in site
- All genders, couples are welcome (bikes OK, no carts or pets)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
Parish of St. Mary’s Kerrisdale
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- All genders, couples are welcome (carts OK outside)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
West End Community Centre
- (entrance off Haro Street)
- Hours of operation: 5:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sunday), 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Monday)
- All genders, couples are welcome (pets OK)
- Hot beverages and snacks are available
The following shelter spaces will remain open today until Monday:
Directions Youth Services Centre
- Hours of operation: 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 10 individuals (ages 13-24, all genders served)
Aboriginal Front Door
- Hours of operation: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Entrance at 205 East Hastings St.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 34 individuals (ages 19 and older; couples welcome)
The Salvation Army Belkin House
- Hours of operation: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 25 individuals (ages 19 and older)
- 18 men and seven (7) women
OPS Overnight EWR Shelter
- Hours of operation: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Access via front entrance
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 20 individuals (ages 19 and older)
Commercial-Hastings EWR
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 7:15 a.m.
- Site entrance is through the front gate
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 15 individuals (ages 19 and older)
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House EWR Shelter
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- Site entrance is on the right side of the building (East facing)
- Dinner, breakfast, and snacks served.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 20 individuals (ages 19 and older)
Marpole Neighbourhood House EWR Shelter
- Hours of operation: 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Site entrance is through courtyard door (South facing)
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 30 individuals (ages 19 and older)
The Nest
- Hours of operation: 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- Entrance at white gate. Ring buzzer for access.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 20 individuals (ages 19 and older; transgender, gender diverse and two-spirit people only)
With a file from Elana Shepert
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.