Environment Canada forecasts white Christmas for B.C.

It looks like British Columbia will have a white Christmas this weekend.

Environment CanadaThe forecast calls for a cold, snowy holiday weekend. Lower Mainland temperatures will drop to the low digits as a result of Arctic winds.

According to the national meteor agency, Dec. 20, 2008 was the coldest day during the week of Christmas. Temperatures dropped to -15.2 C.

While temperatures won’t drop to that low, Environment Canada is speculating that temperatures in Metro Vancouver could plummet to -10 C overnight on Dec. 26.

For VancouverThe expected temperatures for Christmas Day will be between +1 C and -5 C with periods of snow. Boxing Day will see temperatures between -3 C and -10 C with a 40% to 60% chance of snow.

Environment Canada says Victoria will likely experience snow on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The daily temperatures are also expected to be between +3 C and -4 C, and -1 C and -7 C.

Doug Lundquist, Environment Canada meteorologist said that we are witnessing a clash of Arctic and Pacific air. We will see snowfall in the Interior as early as tonight, and more snowfall between now Christmas.

It might take a bit longer on the Coast. It will start as rain, but by Christmas Eve it could easily turn into snow. Christmas Day should be white for most of the Coast. We are even considering Vancouver Island.

2:46B.C. Evening weather forecast: Dec. 21

Environment Canada issued several warnings about winter storms and snowfall on Wednesday. It also stated that heavy snowfall was expected to affect mountain highways.

Environment Canada encourages motorists to delay non-essential travel while the weather improves.

Lundquist however noted that this weather pattern could lead to another storm on Wednesday.

For the Okanagan, temperatures are -7 to 8 C on Saturdays and -12 to 15 C at night. There is also snow occasionally. Wind gusts of 20 km/h or 40 are also possible.

Lundquist believes that the Arctic outflow will be stronger on the South Coast next week. In the Fraser Valley, blizzard conditions are possible due to snowy conditions.

Lundquist stated that the snow and outflow could make it very dangerous, particularly for Boxing Day and Monday next week.

2:57B.C. gets cold Arctic air There is a chance of snow on Christmas Day