Metro Vancouver Weather: Is Late-Season Snowfall on the Horizon?
Imagine a winter devoid of snow—a phenomenon not seen in 43 years for this region. With that stark reality hanging over us, have you felt the distinct lack of winter magic this season?
This winter, Metro Vancouver has experienced uncharacteristically warm temperatures, leaving ski resorts yearning for fresh powder. While we've missed out on snow, we certainly haven't been dry, as rainfall has filled the gaps left by Mother Nature.
The province has been under a ridge of high pressure, resulting in unusually high temperatures. On February 5, several records for daytime highs were shattered, including an astonishing 19.5°C in Bella Bella and 18.1°C at Tatlayoko Lake (you can find more details here).
*Related: Could Metro Vancouver face the Polar Vortex this winter? (Learn more here)
But don’t lose hope just yet—there’s still a chance for some late-season snowfall, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon.
"So far this winter, YVR has recorded no snowfall, with the last measurable flakes falling on February 4, 2025," he explains, pointing out that it has officially been a year since any significant snow has graced the region. On that date, YVR saw five centimeters of snow.
While there was a fleeting moment of excitement in January when some snowflakes fell, they didn’t amount to anything measurable according to national weather data.
There was a slight dusting of 0.2 cm on February 8, 2025, but again, this didn’t count as a true accumulation.
Sekhon emphasizes, "There’s still potential for snow; February and March can bring snow, and even into April, we can see snow. So, we’re not completely out of the woods yet."
Looking back through history, the last time YVR saw a complete stretch without snow from October to April was in the winter of 1982-83. It’s a striking 43 years since the last snowless winter, though this isn’t the first instance of such a phenomenon in the region's history.
"There have been several years without snowfall during those months, including 1925-26, 1937-38, 1944-45, 1957-58, and 1982-83. Nevertheless, we still have a good amount of time until April, and much can change before then," he clarified.
Interestingly, forecasts for February have recently been revised, offering a glimmer of hope for skiing enthusiasts. Although the month kicked off with warmer temperatures, the second week is expected to see conditions returning closer to normal. Additionally, a colder trend is anticipated for northern British Columbia during the week of the 16th to the 23rd, which may extend down to the south coast, as Sekhon notes.
So, what’s behind this lack of Arctic air breaks this winter? Typically, atmospheric rivers originating in the tropics bring warm air filled with moisture into the region. Throughout fall and early winter, several weather systems swept in from the Pacific, accompanied by a few atmospheric rivers. However, winter is not finished yet.
Sekhon adds that there’s still potential for a surge of Arctic air later in the season, so it’s wise for residents to keep an eye on the Metro Vancouver weather updates.
What do you think about this unusual winter? Are you hopeful for some snowfall, or do you believe this is the new normal? Let’s discuss!
