Quiet morning, increasing cloudiness as the next system makes way, reaching the island by late morning. This system will pack the smallest punch when compared to the previous and Sundays system.

As the system approaches, southerly winds increase to strong this morning for the island and afternoon for the mainland coast.

Freezing levels across northwest sitting at, or near 500 metres. Over the south coast ranges freezing levels will drop from 2000-2400 metres down to 1400 metres.

No significant snowfall accumulations expected today. Generally 5 to 15 mm, or as high as 20 mm water equivalent in upslope locations.

Quiet day, isolated flurries north of Blue River early this morning.

Moderate-strong southerly winds build over ranges from Cariboo to Monashees early this afternoon, then spread to the North Rockies late this afternoon and switch to southwesterlies by evening. 

Mainly cloudy with a chance of flurries in the morning. Ridgetop winds light southerlies with northeast 20 km/h near valley bottom.

Forecast for Tonight - 4 p.m to 4 a.m PST:

Snow will spread to the northwest Terrace bringing a few cm by Sunday morning. 

As Freezing levels hover near 1300-1500 metres tonight for the south, rain or snow over higher terrain will equate to 2 to 10 mm of water equivalent, with the Cascades seeing the higher end. 

Moderate southerlies over south coast mainland this evening and tonight. For the Island, strong southerly winds as well, but borderline extreme winds along high alpine peaks of the Insular ranges.

Snow will spread south of/including the Cariboo ranges tonight, and gradually ease after midnight. 2 to 6, locally 8 cm of snow anticipated, with eastern ranges seeing the lower end as the system weakens from west to east.

Moderate-strong southerlies will switch to light westerlies by midnight. Exception being North Rockies where moderate southerly ridgetop winds prevail tonight.

Moderate southwesterlies along more western ranges (Monashee, Cariboos) this evening, then weakening. Exception being the North Rockies where winds will persist into the night. 

Snow beginning this evening with about 5 cm accumulation. Ridgetop winds southerly 20 gusting to 40 km/h.

Forecast for Sunday - 4 a.m to 4 p.m PST:

Repeat scenario of Saturday. Showers or flurries for the south contingent on where you are interested in with freezing levels 1300-1500 metre, then climbing by a few hundred metres by end of day. Rain or snow will pick up Sunday morning for the south coast, with moderate precipitation of 10-25 mm by end of day, with emphasis on the Insular ranges and south coast. Precipitation will persist well into Sunday night, bringing another 10-30 mm Sunday evening and night. 

Strong to extreme southerly ridgetop winds along the entire coast, with emphasis over the Island today. Winds will only fractionally decrease Sunday night.

Generally quiet Sunday with lingering flurries along the Rockies, followed by light snow Sunday evening and night from Valemont down to Castlegar. Marginal accumulation (2 to 4, except 6 cm near the U.S. border) by Monday morning.

Strong southerly ridgetop winds developing over the North Rockies and Cariboo ranges late afternoon, with moderate winds over the Columbia and Kootenay-Boundary ranges late afternoon.

Periods of light snow. Snowfall amount near 2 cm. Ridgetop winds southeast 20 km/h.

Monday will be sandwiched between two systems, with Sunday's system bringing onshore showers, before gradually easing over the day. Then Monday night into Tuesday a deep low pressure will skirt by the B.C. coastline. This system will be fairly deep, which will signal for very strong southeasterly winds on Christmas Eve, posing concerns for delays during a high travel day. Moderate/heavy precipitation is also expected Tuesday, where a temporary spike in freezing levels may occur before dropping Wednesday.

Light snow should continue into Monday along the interior ranges, then as the deep low over the coast arrive Monday evening, strong-extreme southerly ridgetop winds look likely along western ranges. Highest winds will occur along the frontal boundary sometime around Monday evening (subject to change). No major changes to freezing levels expected, but should temporarily usher in some warm air, similar to the coast.

A weakening front arrives on Monday bringing about 5 cm of snow. Ridgetop winds shift and increase to southwest gusting to 60 km/h. Late Monday, a drying trend will develop as a deep low moves toward the BC coast. On Tuesday, remnant moisture from the low will move over the area bringing occasional light snow. Ridgetop winds ease to light on Tuesday.

Windy, Wet, Wobbly Christmas Lights

Ken D & Mike G

System after system will crash into B.C., spilling successive waves of precipitation onto the coast with light snow to the interior.

Sundays system will bring heavy rain to West Vancouver Island and moderate amounts to the North Shore. But more noteworthy, Monday night into Tuesdays low pressure system will potentially look to bring severe winds to the coast. This Tuesday system could also pose issues during a busy travel day (Christmas Eve), but question marks remain on how far north the low will establish itself along the B.C. coast.