B.C. snow odds increase, will Vancouver cash in next week?
After recording no measurable snow at all this season, Vancouver may have an opening for some wintry weather next week
Ridges of high pressure over western North America have kept wintry conditions at bay across parts of British Columbia this season.
A pattern flip on the way next week looks to bring some cooler temperatures and precipitation to the region. This may include an opportunity for snow in the Lower Mainland.
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A split winter so far across British Columbia
Communities in northern B.C. have experienced some cold conditions this winter, with below-seasonal temperatures parked over the region between mid-December and early January.
Meanwhile, folks across southern B.C. have dealt with frequent spells of above-seasonal temperatures between November and mid-February, making for an overall mild winter throughout the region.
The latest snow update from the B.C. government reflects a decent snowpack for many spots in the central and northern parts of the province. Persistently mild conditions mean we’re lacking snow across the South Coast, the Interior, and Vancouver Island.
A trough finally returns to the West into next week
We’re looking ahead to a pattern flip that will allow a trough to begin digging across Western Canada this weekend. A series of upper-level lows will reinforce the trough, affording numerous chances for precipitation.
Cooler temperatures will arrive with the new pattern, helping to lower freezing levels to the alpine level and into the southern mountain passes. Flurries are also possible for communities in the Okanagan this weekend before the threat of heavier snowfall begins. But will the snow stay in the mountains?
Freezing levels will remain low, likely below 500 metres and even bottoming out at sea level at times, through much of next week, especially in the overnights.
For the South Coast, the best chance for wet snow all winter long will be on Monday-Tuesday as a cold upper trough delivers some moisture, while some modified Actic air circulates near the coast.
Heavier rain could switch over to wet snow through Tuesday, including on sections of Vancouver Island as the trough lingers offshore.
In the Interior, as the trough dives south on Monday, widespread snowfall is forecast across a big swatch of the province, including central and northern regions with Arctic air sagging south across northern portions.
The deep trough will spawn a surface low east of the Rockies into Montana, and southeastern B.C. will be dealing with a couple rounds of heavy snowfall on Monday and Tuesday, making travel difficult (locally 20-30+ cm possible).
5-15 cm is likely for the Okanogan region, with higher elevation routes on Vancouver Island and up the Sea-to-Sky, which will deal with localized accumulations, as well.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across B.C.