Why is Vancouver experiencing a snow drought?

Vancouver is experiencing a snow drought due to persistently high freezing levels caused by atmospheric rivers and strong ridging, which has brought warm air to the South Coast.

Are cherry blossoms blooming early in Victoria?

Yes, cherry blossoms are blooming in Victoria weeks ahead of schedule, a sign of the unusually warm winter conditions on the South Coast.

What is the snowpack like in British Columbia's interior mountains?

Unlike the coast, the interior mountains of British Columbia have near or above-normal snowpack, with some regions exceeding 160% of normal.

Home / Environment / B.C. Snow Drought: Warm Storms Thaw Coast

B.C. Snow Drought: Warm Storms Thaw Coast

21 Jan

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Summary

Vancouver and Victoria record zero snowfall this winter.
Coastal snowpack is significantly below normal.
Cherry blossoms bloom weeks ahead of schedule.

B.C. Snow Drought: Warm Storms Thaw Coast

As of January 21, 2026, the South Coast of British Columbia is experiencing a significant snow drought, with major centers like Vancouver and Victoria recording no snowfall this winter. This anomaly occurs despite a weak La Niña pattern that typically favors colder, snowier conditions for the province. Freezing levels have remained unusually high, with frequent atmospheric rivers delivering rain or melting early snow accumulations.

The disparity is stark when comparing the coast to the province's interior, where mountain snowpack is near or above normal. Interior regions like East Kootenay and Boundary are reporting snowpack percentages well over 100% of normal. This phenomenon is attributed to the elevation of cold air masses during storm events, with coastal areas consistently receiving warmer air.

The unseasonably warm weather has also led to early blooming of cherry blossoms in Victoria and Vancouver, some appearing over a month ahead of their usual February emergence. This is in sharp contrast to the rest of Canada, which is contending with a severe polar vortex and extreme cold temperatures. Despite the current lack of snow, there remains a possibility for accumulating snowfall as the winter season progresses into February.