Recent Snow Totals:

Light snow showers have resulted in modest snow totals across the Coast Range, with a few areas in the Interior picking up light totals as well. The one big exception is Sasquatch Mountain who is reporting 42 cm (17") of snow.

Here are the latest 48-hour snow totals:

• 42 cm (17") - Sasquatch Mountain
• 11 cm (4") - Mt. Washington
• 11 cm (4") - Grouse Mountain
• 8 cm (3") - Cypress Mountain
• 7 cm (3") - Whistler
• 6 cm (2") - Whitewater
• 5 cm (2") - Revelstoke
• 4 cm (1.5") - Apex

A storm remains on track for Southern BC on Wednesday-Thursday. The biggest change since my last forecast is that models are now honing in on another disturbance arriving from the northwest on Friday, resulting in more snow showers for the Interior. 

Forecast for the Coast Range & Whistler:

Wednesday – Snow is picking up on Wednesday morning and will become heavier and more widespread through Wednesday afternoon. Snow will then become more intermittent and showery in nature on Wednesday night.

Snow totals through Wednesday night will range from 7-15 cm (3-6") at Whistler and Mt. Washington and 12-27 cm (5-9") for the North Shore resorts and Sasquatch Mountain.

Snow levels will be around 900-1050 meters (3-3.5k feet) during the day on Wednesday with rain mixing in across lower elevation ski terrain, then will fall to 600-750 meters (2-2.5k feet) on Wednesday night.

Winds out of the SSW will gust to 30-50 km/hour in Whistler's alpine terrain.

Thursday – An unstable onshore flow will result in additional snow showers throughout the day and into Thursday evening before tapering off to flurries late Thursday night.

Most areas (Whistler and the North Shore resorts) will pick up another 2-8 cm (1-3") of snow. However, more significant moisture is expected to reach Central Vancouver Island from the southeast, and Mt. Washington will pick up another 10-20 cm (4-8").

Snow levels will range from 750-1050 meters (2.5-3.5k feet), peaking in the afternoon hours. Winds will also be a little bit lighter with peak gusts of 25-40 km/hour in Whistler's alpine terrain.

Snow Totals – I have only made minor changes to yesterday's forecast overall, but did bump up totals at Mt. Washington based on recent trends for Thursday snowfall. Totals of 10-20 cm still look like a good bet for Whistler.

The North Shore resorts do have a bit more boom/bust potential with snow levels creeping up to near/just above the ski resort bases, but I still think they'll end up with 15-30 cm total.

Projection from a blend of weather models:

Friday – Partial clearing is expected with only some lingering light snow showers/flurries, mainly in the morning. Temperatures will warm up slightly in the afternoon compared to prior days. Manning Park and the east side of the Coast Range may hang onto heavier cloud cover and more numerous snow showers as a disturbance impacts the Interior.

Skiing Conditions – Thursday morning will offer the best and deepest conditions, with the snow becoming heavier/wetter by Thursday afternoon. Friday morning may offer some leftovers as well, but warmer temps and occasional sun will work over the new snow by Friday afternoon.

Forecast for the Interior & Powder Highway:

Wednesday – Mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions will prevail for most of the daytime period with snow only just beginning for southern and western areas by late in the day. Snow will then become more widespread on Wednesday night as the storm moves inland.

Whitewater and Red Mountain will be favored for the deepest snow totals overnight (7-15 cm / 3-6") while most other areas will pick up 2-10 cm (1-4") overnight with winds aloft out of the southwest. 

Snow levels will generally range from 900-1050 meters (3-3.5k feet) on Wednesday night.

Thursday – Snow in the morning will gradually become more showery in nature as the day progresses, but periods of heavy snow showers will be possible as we will have plenty of moisture and instability on the backside of the storm, along with some favorable dynamics in the upper atmosphere (to enhance rising air motion). Snow shower activity will persist into Thursday night as well.

Additional snow totals will range from 2-10 cm (1-4") in most areas, but the showery nature will result in more random totals and I wouldn't rule out some locally heavier amounts.

Winds look slightly higher on Thursday compared to Wednesday with ridgetop/alpine gusts in the 25-40 mph range expected. Locally higher gusts are also possible with heavier snow showers.

Snow levels will peak around 1200 meters (4k feet) on Thursday afternoon for most areas, and around 1350 meters (4.5k feet) at Fernie, before falling to around 600 meters (2k feet) on Thursday night.

Friday – The latest development is that models are now projecting a shortwave disturbance to arrive from the northwest and track across the Interior. This will interact with lingering moisture to result in additional snow showers during the daytime and evening hours. Winds will also shift from southwest to west/northwest.

Most areas will pick up an additional 2-8 cm (1-3") of snow on Friday, while Fernie, Apex, and Big White will be favored for slightly higher totals (5-10 cm / 2-4") as these areas tend to do better than most with west/northwest winds. 

Total Snowfall – Here is my 3-day snow forecast, with Whitewater, Fernie, and Big White favored for the highest totals overall. Keep in mind that there could be some isolated "surprise" higher totals given the showery nature of Thursday/Friday's snow.

24-Hour Breakdown:

Projection from a blend of weather models:

Skiing Conditions – I would target Thursday morning and Friday morning for the best conditions. This will vary somewhat depending on which areas receive more snow early vs. late in the storm, but in general, Friday morning may be best once more snow has added up over time.

Snow quality will be medium to high-density, which will help to cover up old melt/freeze crusts more easily. There will still be a big difference in ski conditions and snow quality for high-elevation vs. low-elevation terrain as is typical at this time of year.

Northern BC:

This still looks like a minimal event for northern resorts, with generally a trace to a few centimeters expected. The Cariboo Range could pick up some decent totals but the forecast has lowered here slightly versus prior days.

We will see a break in the pattern from Saturday (March 30) to Monday (April 1) as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region, resulting in warmer and drier conditions along with a transition to spring skiing conditions.

The next chance of snow will be around Tuesday-Wednesday (April 2-3) as a storm approaches from the northwest. This storm will start warm and finish cold with snow levels possibly starting high before falling quickly behind a cold front.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Thursday (March 28).

Alan Smith 

NEW: Snow Ratio Forecast

You can now get a good idea of the upcoming snow quality for the next storm via our new "Snow Ratio" forecast for any location in OpenSnow.

When we talk about snow quality, such as “light and fluffy” or “heavy and wet”, we are talking about the snow-to-liquid ratio. The higher the snow-to-liquid ratio, the lighter the snow quality, and vice-versa.

1. Go to any location screen and tap the "Snow Summary" tab.
2. Scroll down to the 5-day hourly or 10-day forecast section.
3. View the 5-day hourly or daily "Snow Ratio" forecast for the next 10 days.

10:1 will be fun but will feel a little heavy. 15:1 will offer some faceshots and feel pretty light. 20:1 will be incredibly light, almost like skiing through nothing but air.

This new feature is currently available with the latest version of the OpenSnow iOS app installed (App Store > OpenSnow > Update) or on the OpenSnow website (OpenSnow.com). It will be available in the OpenSnow Android app soon.

View → Snow Ratio Forecast