Despite a heavy first snowfall that plunged Cortes Island and surrounding area into days without electricity, the coming winter is predicted to be warmer than average.
The Farmer’s Almanac gives this long-range forecast for Whaletown in the northwest of the island: “Winter will be warmer and drier than normal, with below-normal snowfall.”
Sharron Hatelt has been running a volunteer weather station for Environment Canada in Heriot Bay on Quadra Island for the last 38 years. Consulting her observations of precipitation and temperature over nearly four decades, she expects a warmer winter according to the trends, but thinks, "the snow could be significant. January typically was cold and clear and beautiful weather. But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. It's getting wetter and grayer."
"I see climate change as one and a half degrees warmer in general. And I would say half an inch of less rain every year in general," she told CKTZ News.
But that is specific to her measurements in Heriot Bay. Even geographically close locations could vary in rainfall, wind and temperature based on factors such as terrain and elevation.
In Hatelt's view, the first snowfall in early December was “right on schedule,” and not especially out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, it was a memorable event.
This old barn collapsed under the weight of the first snowfall of the season on the island. Photo by Anastasia Avvakumova.
The snow was extremely wet, heavy and sticky, causing damage to vulnerable structures and breaking trees, power lines and even electricity poles.
Ted Olynyk, BC Hydro Manager of Community Relations on Vancouver Island - Sunshine Coast, reported that on Monday, Dec. 6 around noon there were 5,000 customers without power in the Campbell River area.
On the morning of Thursday, Dec. 16, Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator for Strathcona Regional District, emailed another weather warning for the coming Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17-18.
“A strong Pacific frontal system will move onto the B.C. south coast on Friday night bringing rain to much of the region. precipitation will initially start as snow over higher elevations," the update read. "Some snowfall accumulations of up to 5 cm is possible over higher terrain before warmer air pushes in on Saturday.”
The forecast for Cortes Island for Dec. 17-23. Screenshot from iPhone's Weather app taken Dec. 16.
CKTZ News wishes everyone to stay safe throughout the variable winter conditions in the coming months.
Tune into the full CKTZ News update below: