We’re flipping from one extreme to another across British Columbia as seemingly endless rain will seamlessly transition to a long spell of unusually dry conditions.
A pattern setting up over Western Canada will bring an abundance of dry weather and sunshine to the region.
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It’s been a very rainy couple of weeks across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Some communities have seen more than 20 consecutive days of rainfall in the gauges.
That wet pattern is on its way out as a new regime kicks in through the middle of January. Sustained flow off the Pacific will bring a stretch of mild weather, with some areas even in line for above-seasonal temperatures.
Drier conditions will allow for sunshine and above-seasonal temperatures to dominate for at least the next week. Monday in particular looks like a sun-filled afternoon—a great opportunity to enjoy the fresh snowpack that the ski resorts have had for the past few weeks.
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The break is welcome news not just because of the wet pattern of late, but because January is usually a fairly gloomy month on the whole. Vancouver usually sees 18 to 19 rainy days in a typical January.
We are going to watch a few systems arriving over the next week, but most will bring alpine-level snow and lack an abundance of moisture.
The noteworthy warmth inching into the region will also reflect in freezing levels. Many days will see a freezing level climb above 2000 metres.