Winter is (finally) coming.
From Mother Nature with love, or discontent, snowfall appears to be the imminent gift for Vancouver 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."
Vancouver 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 Vancouver has once again extended and expanded on its extreme weather response.
This now includes public warning centres open Sunday and Monday:
Powell Street Getaway
- 450 East Hastings St.
- 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
- 27 West Hastings St.
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- All genders (pets OK, storage available but cannot accept carts)
Chinatown Peace Church
- 375 East Pender St.
- 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
- 1 Kingsway
- 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
Vancouver Community Services Office
- 3360 Fraser St.
- 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
- 1443 West 8th Ave.
- 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
- 2490 West 37th Ave.
- 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
- 870 Denman St. (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
- 1138 Burrard St.
- 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
- 390 Main St.
- 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
- 555 Homer St.
- 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
- 141 East Hastings St.
- 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
- 1726 East Hastings St.
- 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
- 2425 Oxford St.
- 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
- 8585 Hudson St.
- 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
- 320 Alexander St.
- 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.
