Commuters warned of icy roads after snowstorm brings Metro Vancouver traffic to halt

Environment Canada is warning of icy road conditions that could affect Thursday morning's commute after a major snowfall Tuesday led to severe traffic delays throughout B.C.'s Lower Mainland. 

In a special weather statement, Environment Canada said some of Tuesday's snowfall would melt amid higher temperatures on Wednesday. Temperatures will then drop Wednesday night, the weather agency said, and "untreated road surfaces and sidewalks could become icy overnight," which could affect Thursday's commute. 

Frigid temperatures will remain through Thursday night, Environment Canada said.

The blast of wintry weather comes after thousands of commuters throughout B.C.'s Lower Mainland were stranded in their cars for hours Tuesday and into Wednesday after the first major snowfall of the season caused travel mayhem across the region.

Some drivers, furious and exhausted, were stuck overnight until Wednesday morning on an eastbound section of Highway 91 — a major commuter route connecting New Westminster, Delta and Richmond just south of Vancouver. 

By midnight, several roads were still as packed as a regular rush hour. Many of those trapped were concerned about running out of food, water or gas as their regular commutes turned into hours-long road trips. 

"It kind of felt like the apocalypse," said commuter Andrea Thamboo, who spent 12½ hours in gridlock on what should have been a 30-minute trip from Richmond to Surrey.

"I've lived in the Lower Mainland since I was six years old and I've never experienced anything like this."

Traffic on the highway began moving around 6:45 a.m. PT. 

Nearly 10,000 homes were still without power midday Wednesday, largely in the north end of Vancouver Island. B.C. Hydro crews were unable to reach some outages because ferry service to smaller islands, like Hornby and Denman, was cancelled due to the weather.

That number was down to fewer than 1,800 customers across the province by 3:45 p.m. PT, according to B.C. Hydro. 

A one-two punch of strong winds and blowing snow swept across B.C.'s South Coast on Tuesday, arriving just in time for the afternoon rush. Travel by air and sea were also affected by cancellations from B.C. Ferries and several airports — including Vancouver International, where one passenger jet slid off a taxiway.

While snow tapered off in much of the region on Wednesday, weather warnings remained in place in many areas away from the water or at higher elevations.

Preliminary snowfall totals ranged from five centimetres in coastal areas like White Rock to more than 20 centimetres on parts of Vancouver Island, according to the weather agency. Wind speeds ranged from 70 to 100 km/h.