Metro Vancouver's gloomy weather may lift next week
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:55:08 +0000
If the long stretch of dreary, rainy weather in Metro Vancouver has you feeling gloomy, there may some respite on the way.
The region is expected to see some snow and then likely sunshine next week, according to Matt MacDonald, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
If the holiday season felt darker than usual that’s because it usually only rains an average of 18 days in December, and last month it rained for 26 days, said MacDonald.
It has also rained every day this year.
On Tuesday, there was a rainfall warning in effect for Metro Vancouver, with up to 90 millimetres of rain expected before it eased off later in the afternoon.
“So, it rained often in December but not all that much. We came in just above historical averages at 164.2 millimetres,” said MacDonald, adding that the average at YVR is 161.9 millimetres.
So far in January, Vancouver has already been soaked with 52 millimetres of rain, and more in other areas of Metro Vancouver, which represents a quarter of the average rainfall for the month.
“It’s not all bad news. As much as it affects people’s moods and makes for gloomy days the reservoirs are catching up from a dry fall, and the snowpacks are catching up. They were well below normal to start off the season and we rely on that for drinking water,” said MacDonald.
As for respite from the rain, Thursday looks dry but cloudy, and then to “brighten things up on Friday we may see some snow,” said MacDonald, though any snow will likely turn to rain.
Next week, he is anticipating a “nice long stretch” of cold and sunny weather.
Meteorologists predict the first Arctic outbreak of the season is on its way early next week, meaning sustained cold temperatures from Monday to the end of the week.
“Arctic air usually brings us those cold, crisp, sunny conditions, so once we get through a mixture of rain and snow to end the work week and through the weekend, and then potentially a more significant snowstorm on Tuesday, then we’ll be in for some sunshine,” he said.
Most of the snow that falls on Friday and the weekend will likely wash away, he said, but could accumulate at higher elevations like Burnaby Mountain or the North Shore.
ticrawford@postmedia.com