Metro Vancouver's long run of dry, frigid days will end next week but there is still one more opportunity for snowfall before then.
Moisture from the Pacific is expected to move into the region by Friday, Feb. 14, replacing a ridge of high pressure that has kept an Arctic airmass in place for nearly two weeks. When it does, precipitation may fall as snow before transitioning to rain later in the weekend.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Derek Lee told V.I.A. that the week will start dry and cold, with mostly sunshine, clear skies, and daytime temperatures averaging 1 C to 2 C degrees above freezing on Monday and Tuesday.
Overnight temperatures are expected to fall significantly below the seasonal average, with Monday's low expected to reach a frigid -7 C that could feel closer to -13 C with the windchill. Similarly, Tuesday's overnight low is expected to drop to -6 C.
"We're still under the ridge of high pressure with sunny skies and cloud-free, so tonight and tomorrow will be cold at night," he noted.
Metro Vancouver weather 7-day forecast includes snow flurries or rain
Temperatures are expected to gradually warm up heading into the weekend, although Friday's overnight low is expected to dip to -2 C. The incoming system means precipitation, but of which kind remains unclear at this point.
"The start of the storm is uncertain on Saturday whether it will be rain or snow flurries," he said.
Temperatures are expected to climb up to a daytime high of 5 C on Saturday, so any snow flurries should transition to rain by the afternoon.
"The offshore Pacific flow will bring continuous moisture to the region through mid-next-week," he explained, adding the Lower Mainland should see temperatures trending above normal for the rest of February.
"We have been in a colder stretch for an extended period but there hasn't been much precipitation. We are sitting at about 15 to 20 per cent of the average monthly precipitation level."
While a torrential downpour isn't expected over the weekend, locals may still face significant precipitation.
"You'll probably want to bring your umbrella with you," he said.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
