We’re just one week away from Whistler Blackcomb officially opening for another ski and snowboarding season, but snow is already on the way for a few areas in BC, including the highway that takes you there.
Although winter is over a month away, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) predicts that the Sea to Sky highway could receive up to 10 cm of snow on Saturday.
Areas impacted include the Squamish to Whistler portion of the Sea to Sky, Whistler itself, and Pemberton.
ECCC warns drivers to prepare for winter driving conditions, adding that visibility could sometimes be reduced.
The forecast says a frontal system will arrive on Saturday, bringing rain to the coast and snow to further inland areas. The snow is expected to fall early Saturday morning but will become mixed with rain later in the day. ECCC expects precipitation to end on Saturday night.
Along with the snow, temperatures are expected to drop slightly on the BC highway and surrounding areas.
“Temperatures will hover near zero, and some melting will occur on the ground, making snowfall accumulations uncertain,” ECCC says.
“Weather in the mountains can change suddenly, resulting in hazardous driving conditions.”
ECCC also calls this the first significant snowfall of the season. ECCC suggests continuing to monitor its alerts. You can also report severe weather to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca.
While Vancouver does not have snow in the forecast yet, it will be another very wet week after a mostly sunny Friday.
The forecast for Vancouver (ECCC)