EC issues Special Weather statement for Friday bitter cold and snow.

I will keep this short just with Environment Canada’s statement. It is self explanatory. All areas of the South Coast including inland and east vancouver island are included. Below is the Inland version. I will make another post tomorrow (Thursday) morning with predictions as the models are fairly varied. Bundle up and get the snow shovel, especially if you are on the East side of the Island!

5:12 AM PST Wednesday 06 February 2019
Special weather statement in effect for:
Inland Vancouver Island
…Snow for the South Coast Thursday night and Friday…
…Bitterly cold arctic outflow winds Friday night and Saturday…

Cold, clear and fairly calm conditions prevail over the South Coast this morning thanks to a stagnant arctic airmass that still has the entire province under its wintery grip.

But beginning late Thursday a fresh infusion of arctic air will descend through the province. Increasing moisture ahead of this arctic blast will give snow to most of the South Coast beginning Thursday night. Snow will continue through Friday. Most areas will receive at least a few centimetres of accumulation by late Friday. However, there is potential for much higher accumulations over some regions. The most recent weather models suggest the areas favoured for higher accumulations will be East and Inland Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria and the Fraser Valley.

Snow will start to ease Friday night as bitterly cold outflow winds start to pour out of the mainland inlets and valleys. The arctic outflow will be strongest over Howe Sound-Whistler, the Fraser Valley, Greater Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands. These areas will experience bitterly cold windchill temperatures and reduced visibilities in blowing snow.

Forecasts will be refined as confidence increases in computer model data. Snowfall and/or Arctic Outflow warnings may be issued.


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