Vancouver is entering February without any snow having officially been recorded at its airport weather station, potentially putting the city on track for its first snow-free winter in 43 years.
Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Ken Dosanjh says that while there is still some time left in winter, there’s no likelihood of sea-level snow in the immediate forecast.
He says if none falls by spring, it would be the first time Vancouver had gone snow-free since the winter of 1982-1983.
Environment Canada says an “unseasonably warm air mass” is responsible for daily temperature records falling in B.C. on Tuesday, with Sandspit and Bella Bella exceeding highs previously set in 1954 and 1998, respectively.
Wetter, warmer weather elevates South Coast avalanche risk
Metro Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains are a swath of green, and at Grouse Mountain, the ski run that overlooks the city, temperatures hit 12 degrees on Wednesday, with only seven out of its 30-plus runs open.
Dosanjh says that while there had been some reports of wet snow around the city in early January, none had so far reached the ground or accumulated at the Vancouver International Airport weather station.
He says recent atmospheric rivers had not only brought rain to parts of B.C., they had also raised freezing levels, helping melt any snow that has fallen in the region.
Dosanjh says he’s “not seeing any glimpses” of sea-level snow for up to nine days.
“So, we’ll have to kind of wait maybe until mid-late February, maybe we’ll have a better chance. But for now, I’m not seeing snow, at least for the next week,” he says.
Dosanjh says there has been some regional weather variation, pointing out a snowfall warning issued for the Malahat Highway on Vancouver Island in early January.
Across the South Coast of B.C., snowfall accumulation is around 78 per cent of the average, Dosanjh says, while on Vancouver Island, it is below half, at 49 per cent.
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks on Wednesday announced the early reopening of the Grouse Grind hiking trail, due to “favourable weather.” The trail typically remains shut until at least April.
The provincial river forecast centre has meanwhile issued a flood watch for the North Coast including tributaries along the outer coast and inland areas including Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Terrace.
The warning says up to 250 millimetres of rain could fall in some parts through late Wednesday and that run-off from snowmelt is expected.
Environment Canada has also issued a rainfall warning for the area, telling drivers to watch for roads being washed out near rivers, creeks and culverts.
