A couple bouts of precipitation are expected across Vancouver Island heading into the holidays, but unless you live in the mountains, don’t expect a white Christmas.
Odds are “very low to minimal or even zero chances of snow,” said Matt Loney, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Meteorologists ran the modelling many times, over many days, and they’re all coming back the same.
“We’re getting a similar response over a number of days which is adding to the sense there will be no low-level snow for Vancouver Island,” Loney said. “It’s unlikely to see incursions of Arctic air before Christmas."
It doesn’t matter which winter holiday Vancouver Islanders celebrate – or don’t – there likely won’t be white stuff on the ground for it.
There may be rain, however, for Winter Solstice on Dec. 21, Christmas Day and the start of Hanukkah on Dec. 25, as well as Kwanzaa starting Dec. 26.
Those who like to hit higher elevations such as Mount Washington or Mount Cain are in luck, however, as the snowpacks there should be in good order.
“The snow level and freezing level will still generate enough snow for Mount Washington to have a good snowpack at Christmas,” Loney said.
There may be no snow, but rain is likely for most parts of Vancouver Island.
Modelling shows disturbances coming in, so rain is likely and in typical fashion for the region, heavier amounts should be expected mid-Island.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the models,” Loney said. “We do see storminess coming in for sure.”
