Summary

Big-time snow totals are coming in across the Western Columbia and Okanagan region on Tuesday as a powerful storm impacts BC. Heavy snow is expected for most areas through the remainder of Tuesday, with New Year’s Day on Wednesday looking like a deep powder day for most areas, except for Coast Range areas below 1300 meters (4,200 ft) where rain is an issue. Snow will persist through New Year’s Day on Wednesday, followed by a brief break Thursday morning. Another strong multi-day storm will begin to impact BC late Thursday and persist through Saturday, with very heavy snow amounts (but also rising snow levels) expected across the Coast Range. The Interior will not see as much moisture as the Coast Range but still will see heavy snow totals during this time as well. Friday and Saturday are both looking like good powder days, pending snow levels (more on that below). Much colder air will arrive Saturday and Sunday as well, with another storm bringing snow and zero rain issues during this time, with Sunday looking like perhaps the best powder day of all in terms of snow quality (dry powder snow, no rain issues). The active pattern is expected to continue next week with colder than average temperatures, which will result in low snow levels.

Short Term Forecast