While most of the winter so far has been warmer than average and fairly damp, the week ahead is looking a bit different.
Cooler than average temperatures are in the forecast, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Philippe-Alain Bergeron, with mostly sunny skies.
"It's quite a different pattern from what we've had up to now," he tells V.I.A.
He notes that the polar vortex that's hit eastern and central Canada is affecting southwestern B.C., but to a lesser extent. That means Vancouver is getting arctic air, but it's highly modified before it arrives.
"The temperatures are cooler than what we've seen, but just a few degrees below seasonal," he explains.
The result is lows around -3 C and highs of only 3 and 4 C for the first few days of the week, Bergeron says. However, many in the region will experience outflow winds as well.
"It's going to be moderate for the lower mainland, especially in Abbotsford and Fraser Valley," he explains.
Skies will stay mostly clear for the next few days, though a system passing north of Vancouver may send a few clouds on Monday, Jan. 20.
Vancouverites can also expect to see frost each morning on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Thursday, Jan. 23, will see a change in the weather, Bergeron says, though there's still some uncertainty as to exactly when the change will happen.
"Thursday night there's a 40 per cent chance of a mix of light showers and wet flurries," Bergeron says.
When exactly that arrives isn't clear. Its timing will affect the mix as well. If it arrives late at night, there's a greater chance of wet flurries, with a slim chance of higher elevations in the city seeing it stick.
No matter when it arrives, though, it'll be a short period of small flurries; Bergeron doesn't expect it to have a significant impact on the city.
"Just a few light showers mixed with light snow at sea level," he says.
By Friday, Jan. 24, things should be clearing up.
"The ridge will be rebounding after that," Bergeron says. "Conditions for the end of the week might be similar to what we have now."
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
