As predicted by Environment and Climate Change Canada, snow is expected to hit the Northern Sunshine Coast and qathet region tonight, Tuesday, January 16.
Most of Southern BC has been in a deep freeze with temperatures well below zero last weekend. With rising temperatures today, to around zero and one degree tonight, the qathet region may see sleet and possibly snow.
Meteorologist with the Meteorological Service of Canada Derek Lee previously stated to the Peak that: “In order to see snow once again in the area, we will need moisture coming back from the Pacific.”
Lee rightly predicted qathet wouldn’t see snow until Tuesday onward.
Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning at 10:58 am, this morning for Westview and the qathet region, saying a snowstorm is expected from tonight to Wednesday afternoon.
According to the alert: “Snowfall accumulations will be approximately, 10 to 20 centimetres on the mainland side and southern Sunshine Coast, and 10 centimetres for the Vancouver Island side and northern Sunshine Coast.”
Although qathet’s weather can be quite different from the lower coast and Vancouver Island, the region has seen significant snowfall in past years.
“A Pacific low pressure system is expected to bring widespread snow to the south coast tonight into Wednesday. In addition, there is a risk of freezing rain tonight in southern sections near the United States border,” according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The alert warns those driving or out walking that visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow and surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
Mid February 2023 saw the qathet region blanketed in snow, causing mayhem for drivers trying to get up Wildwood Hill. Events were cancelled,and those who could took advantage of the snow, venturing out to Willingdon Beach, some on cross country skis.
Today Weatherhood ranked Whistler, BC, as the coldest place in its top five rankings at minus 12.7 degrees. The qathet region was ranked at number two, with a low of minus 5.8 degrees, and Squamish, at number three, at minus 3.8 degrees.
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