Snow alerts issued in several areas of British Columbia

Environment Canada has issued snow alerts in several areas of British Columbia for Tuesday.

Special weather statements cover eastern and inland Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver.

The forecaster says snowfall amounts will vary significantly depending on elevation and how close the area is to the water.

It says five to 20 centimetres of wet snow is expected with the highest amounts likely over Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, where the snow is expected to persist the longest.

It says warmer air will arrive by Tuesday afternoon and the snow will transition to rain.

A snowfall warning has also been issued for inland sections of B.C.'s northern coast, including Kitimat, Stewart and Terrace, where accumulations of 15 to 25 centimetres of snow should be expected late Monday and overnight Tuesday.