VANCOUVER - The city of Vancouver slowed to a standstill over the weekend as a mysterious white rain fell on the city, forming a coating to almost 5 mm. Drivers caught in the fury of Mother Nature as the rain suddenly switched over to this mysterious precipitation were clearly panicked. The RCMP reported over 700 traffic accidents from 6 to 10 AM this morning, and Translink has halted all transit service until road conditions improve.
One driver told Global News that this weather is unprecedented. Senior meteorologist Mark Madryga agrees: "This has certainly never fallen in Vancouver before, and we're in the process of determining what it is. We tried calling colleagues from other parts of Canada, and they were all convinced it was snow, but Vancouver doesn't get snow, so that definitely can't be it!"
EXTREME COLD GRIPS CITY
Immediately after the mystery precipitation storm, temperatures at Vancouver International Airport dropped to the most dangerous levels seen in 42 years, recording a low of just 1.4 C. In other parts of the city, there were numerous reports of malfunctioning thermometers, as temperatures seemed to dip below freezing, the absolute minimum for most household thermometers sold in Vancouver.
Residents in Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Surrey flooded the Global News Room with panicked reports of their double doubles freezing once they left the relative comfort of their local Tim Hortons.
Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson has declared a state of emergency, and emergency shelters in the Downtown East Side were overwhelmed. However, relief is in sight. Environment Canada predicts temperatures will rise to 8 C by the middle of next week.
(C) Global BC (TM)
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