Weather Pattern: HIGH – There is good agreement between weather models that a cold air mass will begin moving into the northern B.C. on Feb. 20. The cold will make its way down south and likely into coastal communities throughout the week.
• Winds: MODERATE – Good confidence that the weather pattern will bring significant outflow winds along coastal valleys & inlets later in the week.
• Temperatures: MODERATE – Temperatures are expected to plummet to below average by 5-15 degrees, exact temperature forecasts for each region will unfold as the event draws nearer.
• Snowfall Amounts: LOW – The exact snowfall amounts remain uncertain and will highly depend on the intensity and tracks of the systems that approach during the cold period.
KEY POINTS:
Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley: 5-10 degrees below average by Feb. 23
• The exact timing of the arrival of cold air throughout B.C. remains uncertain but the cold will likely intensify throughout the work week and continue into the weekend (Feb. 25-26).
• There is uncertainty as to when temperatures will return to near average values in the longer term.
Fire Chief J. Caldbeck
