Metro Vancouver's Weather: Late-Season Snowfall Possibilities
It's been 43 years since Metro Vancouver experienced a snowless winter, but will this season be different? The region has been unusually warm, with ski hills lacking snow and rain taking its place. A high-pressure ridge brought record-breaking heat, with temperatures reaching 19.5C in Bella Bella and 18.1C in Tatlayoko Lake. However, Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon says late-season snowfall is still possible.
Sekhon notes that YVR hasn't recorded any snow this season, with the last measurable snowfall on February 4, 2025. While there was a brief January excitement about snowflakes, they didn't accumulate. The forecast for February has been updated, with the second week expected to be closer to normal temperatures, followed by colder weather in northern B.C. from the 16th to the 23rd.
Atmospheric rivers, typically bringing warm, moist air from the tropics, have been frequent this season. Sekhon predicts another Arctic air blast could arrive later in the winter, so residents should stay tuned to the weather forecast. Despite the lack of snow so far, Sekhon reassures that late-season snowfall is still a possibility, with no snow between October and April last recorded in 1982-83.
The region's history of snowless winters dates back to 1925-26, 1937-38, 1944-45, 1957-58, and 1982-83. Sekhon emphasizes that the season is not over yet, and a lot can happen until April. So, while it's been a long wait, Metro Vancouver residents can still hope for a late-season snow surprise.
