Friday, November 15, 2024

Parts of southern B.C. on ‘flake watch’ this weekend

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British Columbia can’t seem to escape the stormy pattern, with a soaking rain and heavy alpine snow expected for the weekend. There’s even the chance for parts of Vancouver Island to see the flakes fly, which could result in some slick and slippery conditions through Saturday and Sunday.

These back-to-back storm systems will continue well into next week, which is highly beneficial for ski areas anxious for early openings, but with major impacts to travel possible, as well.

DON’T MISS: B.C. highway passes hit with copious snowfall as storm parade continues

It’ll be important to stay alert to the changing travel conditions, with most drivers still yet to encounter any winter driving yet this season.

Baron - BC flake watch - Nov15

Baron – BC flake watch – Nov15

Friday overnight into Sunday morning:

Another system will track into northern B.C. this weekend, bringing widespread precipitation and some cooler temperatures.

Precipitation starts moving south Friday overnight, and into north Vancouver Island, where the entire island will see the stormy conditions spread through on Saturday morning.

Baron - Saturday morning precip BC - Nov15Baron - Saturday morning precip BC - Nov15

Baron – Saturday morning precip BC – Nov15

With the cooler temperatures moving in, there is the chance for some on the east side of Vancouver Island to see snow flurries, as well. Chances increase for areas at higher elevations.

The Malahat may also see some snow flurries, along with areas with higher terrain like Burnaby Mountain and Simon Fraser University (SFU).

Baron - BC snow accumulation - Nov15Baron - BC snow accumulation - Nov15

Baron – BC snow accumulation – Nov15

This will be the first accumulating snow of the season for the Sea-to-Sky Highway, with between 5-10 cm forecast for the area.

The mountain peaks and the other highway passes will also see accumulating snow.

Baron - Highway pass snow - Nov15Baron - Highway pass snow - Nov15

Baron – Highway pass snow – Nov15

DON’T MISS: La Niña watch remains in effect heading into this winter

Temperatures will be hovering really close to the freezing mark, but the potential is certainly there to see the snowy conditions as the temperatures cool.

For Metro Vancouver, the precipitation will remain as rain, but with a widespread soaking expected on Saturday and Sunday. Some of the harder hit areas could see 50+ mm fall.

Baron - BC rain - Nov15Baron - BC rain - Nov15

Baron – BC rain – Nov15

Next significant storm hits Tuesday, highly beneficial for ski areas

This active pattern will continue for B.C. through next week, with the next storm expected Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Snow levels will be quite low, well below 1000 metres, so this should be a highly beneficial storm for the ski areas. Significant snow totals are possible for the Interior of B.C. as well, which could have a major impact on travel.

B.C. ski resort tentative openings 2024-25B.C. ski resort tentative openings 2024-25

B.C. ski resort tentative openings 2024-25

SEE ALSO: Can pine cones actually predict how harsh winter will be?

A couple shots of Arctic air are expected for northeastern B.C. next week, with colder than seasonal temperatures dominating across much of the province during the second half of November.

Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates for B.C.

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