Metro Vancouverites might see snowfall for the first time this winter as a storm is expected to bring moisture to the region .
Environment Canada Meteorologist Lisa Erven says the region will experience a "drastic" transition from the last three weeks of bone-dry conditions.
"We are headed toward a major shift in the weather, with the first robust system impacting [the region] on Thursday, Jan. 30," she tells V.I.A.
As the first "robust system" hits the B.C.'s south coast on Thursday, precipitation will fall as rain or flurries throughout the day.
"Most of the [precipitation] should fall as rain but freezing levels are low so there's a chance for it to freeze," she notes.
If the precipitation starts to fall early Thursday morning, it will freeze, resulting in flurries at places at higher elevations including the North Shore and Burnaby Mountain. There may also be some flurries at sea level (depending on the event's timing).
Precipitation is expected to fall throughout the day, ease into rain later in the evening, and continue overnight into Friday.
Metro Vancouver forecast includes potential snowfall as February begins
Erven says a lazy, low-pressure system sitting over Vancouver Island will bring bursts of precipitation to the Lower Mainland starting on Saturday or Sunday and continuing through Tuesday or Wednesday.
"It has all of the ingredients for low-elevation snow on Saturday, with cool temperatures and moisture," she notes.
Since the system is weak, the timing and intensity of the event remain uncertain. However, modest to "very heavy" snow is possible as temperatures dip several degrees below seasonal averages. The snow is more likely to arrive in bursts in certain neighbourhoods rather than widespread snowfall across Metro Vancouver.
"We won't see the details more clearly until 24 hours before the event," she clarifies.
The meteorologist says weather models do not indicate a clear signal after mid-next week. If the ridge of high pressure in the B.C. interior remains, temperatures will stay frigid. If it moves into the Prairies, conditions could start to warm up.
Vancouver and Abbotsford are experiencing their third-driest Januarys on record. However, the monthly statistics are expected to change following the precipitation on Thursday and Friday.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
