A white Christmas in the Kootenays is unlikely this year, according to Environment Canada, which forecasts a mild Pacific system that could dominate the region’s holiday weather.
Meteorologist Colin Fong explained that a series of storms is expected to move across southern B.C. in the coming weeks, bringing frequent precipitation but also warm temperatures.
“We’re going to see a train of storms come, one after the other, after the other and really in the end, what this all really means is we’re going to see continued rain or snow,” said Fong.
“Along with it, though, is that these systems will bring in fairly mild air. And as a result, we are not looking at any deep freeze, at least for the near term. We will continue to expect warmer temperatures and even above‑normal temperatures for the Kootenay region.”
While Arctic air is hitting central and northwestern Canada right now, Fong said it probably won’t reach the Kootenays this month.
“It looks as though that cold air will stay not only over northern B.C., but into the prairies as well. But for southern B.C. and the Kootenay region, those storms coming in off the Pacific, it looks like the warm air will win out, at least for the next couple of weeks anyways,” explained Fong.
He said that same air mass has settled over northern B.C., but the earliest chance of it reaching the Kootenay region appears to be January.
“That cold air is trying to make its way down into southern B.C. Doesn’t look like it’s going to be coming in for the month of December. From what I’m looking at, it may even be January at the earliest for any possibility that that cold air will come into the Kootenays.”
As for the lack of snow locally, Fong said overnight temperatures are the main reason.
“The overnight lows haven’t really been dipping below zero very often. Usually this time of year, we would expect nighttime lows to be about minus three. And we just haven’t really seen a prolonged period of below‑freezing nighttime lows.”
With these warm temperatures hovering above freezing, Fong said most precipitation is falling as rain or mixed rain and snow, so any snow that does reach the ground tends not to stick.
Higher elevations, including ski areas and mountain passes, have seen snow, but again, warm temperatures have caused melting and even rainfall on top of existing snowpacks.
“The ingredients just aren’t there for a good shot of snow, at least down at the surface. I wish I had better news in terms of snow for those who are looking for it as we get into the holiday season, but the ingredients just aren’t in place for that right now.”
As of Dec. 1, the provincial snowpack sits at 79 per cent of normal, which is well below last year’s 114 per cent.
The West Kootenay region measures at 72 per cent, the East Kootenay at 78 per cent and the Boundary at 121 per cent.
Typically by Dec. 1 about one‑quarter of the season’s snowpack has accumulated, but snow levels vary widely across the province.
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