The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes warming temperatures across the region but road conditions are still treacherous in many places.
The freezing rain warning is no longer in effect for the Fraser Valley or parts of Metro Vancouver but roads may be slippery due to snow and ice.
Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau told V.I.A. that warmer temperatures started moving into the Lower Mainland on Thursday, Jan.18. However, the temperatures vary drastically across the region.
While Vancouver International Airport (YVR) experienced bouts of freezing rain overnight Thursday, most places across Metro Vancouver experienced a transition to rain by late Friday morning.
"Freezing rain was reported at the airport, [and] then snow mixed with rain and then rain mixed with snow," she explained, noting that the weather was generally unsettled and varied across the region.
Before the freezing rain, a few centimetres of snow fell across Metro Vancouver. Some people even saw "ice pellets" form as the warmer air started to make its way into the region. The rare phenomenon can make melting snow freeze before it makes contact with a surface, resulting in a noise as it bounces off.
In most places across Metro Vancouver, the freezing rain transitioned to regular rain by about 10:30 p.m. But there was another risk of it early Friday morning.
Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes plenty of wet weather
While there is no longer a risk of freezing rain, the extreme weather has resulted in a buildup of ice on streets and sidewalks. Drivers should exercise caution and drive slowly in icy places.
"We are finally warming up but conditions where you are might be different from other regions," Charbonneau said.
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast doesn't include the risk of snow or freezing rain but regular rain is expected to fall every day for the next week.
Travellers headed to B.C. highways may continue to experience hazardous conditions. The Coquihalla has a risk of freezing rain overnight Friday that is expected to transition to flurries by Saturday morning.
A local man shared some images of freezing rain in Surrey on X, formerly Twitter, noting that the "main roads are still OK" but that the "side streets and alleys are a straight-up mess."
"Stay safe out there friends," he remarked.
Another Metro Vancouerite shared images of freezing rain in Port Coquitlam in an area located between Coquitlam Centre Mall and the top of Westwood Plateau.
Early Friday morning, Abbotsford Police Department Sgt. Paul Walker warned drivers to "take some extra time" on roads due to icy conditions.
Check hyper-local weather forecasts for over 50 neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland with Weatherhood.
