Side streets in Metro Vancouver are unlikely to be cleared soon, as officials prefer to wait for warmer temperatures to do the work. (CBC)

Residents in Metro Vancouver who are struggling with ice and snow-clogged side streets should adjust their expectations about snow removal, the mayor of Burnaby says.

"It's expensive and there's already been well over $1 million spent by my city," said Burnaby Mayor Derrick Corrigan.

"We only carry a certain amount of salt, we only have a certain amount of vehicles that are for snow removal mainly because it's not worth it to invest in those vehicles when plows will end up rusting over the decade or so before there's another big snowfall."

Corrigan said the snowstorms that have hit the area since earlier this month are rare events that residents could have prepared for themselves by buying snow tires and salt.

Black ice and slushy roads are making the commute around the Lower Mainland more difficult. (CBC)

The accumulated snow has recently been melting in the milder temperatures, and refreezing when the mercury dips back below zero to make for ice covered roads and treacherous driving.

Those conditions are expected to continue for several more days, with a possibility of some more light snow and rain.

Anyone hoping the municipalities will clear ice and snow from side streets is going to be disappointed. Vancouver spokeswoman Jennifer Young said the plan is to plow the major routes and wait for the weather to take care of the rest.

"We end up in a situation where we're not meeting people's expectations, but probably because their expectations are unrealistic about what we can do," said Corrigan, pointing out that public and private cleanup crews are minimal because many workers are currently on holidays.

Corrigan said his recent experience with the snowfall has convinced him the city should invest in a public education campaign about snow management.