Forecast for Today - 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT:

As the Pacific system approaches, snow with light to moderate accumulations is expected across the southwest ranges today, and freezing levels rising slightly to around 1100 metres by the afternoon.

Strong southerly winds becoming extreme by the afternoon. 

The northwest ranges will also see light to moderate snowfall throughout the day, with freezing levels rising to near 1000 metres by the afternoon.

Interior ranges will experience increasing cloudiness on today as the system nears the coast.

Increasing freezing levels today, near 1500m by the afternoon. Strong SW winds by this afternoon for the North Rockies.

Forecast for Tonight - 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. PDT:

Moderate to heavy snowfall amounts overnight tonight for the SW ranges. The SW ranges especially the SW facing slopes from the North Shore through to the Knuckles can expect between 20 to 30cm. The Vancouver Island ranges and remaining SW ranges can expect around 10 to 20cm. The freezing levels will hover between 900 to 1200m.

Extreme southerly winds weakening to strong by Thursday morning.

Light to moderate snowfall amounts for the NW ranges overnight; amounts between 5 to 15cm. Freezing levels between 900 to 1200m.

Strong southerly winds diminishing overnight. 

Snow beginning for the central to southern BC interior ranges. Light snowfall amounts and freezing levels falling from near 1500m to around 800m by morning.

For the North Cariboos and North Rockies, a few flurries overnight with trace amounts. Freezing levels falling to near 500m by morning. 

Ridgetop winds moderate to strong southerly becoming light this evening.

Forecast for Thursday - 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT:

Periods of snow and flurries continuing for the SW ranges with a persistent onshore flow.

Generally light to moderate amounts for the day, 10 to 20cm can be expected. Light amounts for the Vancouver Island ranges, around 5 to 10cm. Freezing levels between 800 to 1000m. 

A few flurries for the NW ranges today; trace to light amounts. 

Periods of snow for the southern BC interior ranges. Heaviest amounts for the southern Selkirks near Kootenay Pass, and near Fernie; amounts between 10 to 20cm expected. The remaining ranges light to moderate amounts.

Freezing levels rising to near 1500m by the afternoon. 

Ridgetop winds light to moderate southwesterly.

Thursday night another push of Pacific moisture will move onto the coast bringing significant snow and wind to the BC coastal ranges. 

Flurries will continue through Friday with light to moderate accumulations. 

A break for Saturday but more another system takes aim at the BC coast Saturday night and into Sunday.

Thursday night a few flurries through the BC interior.

On Friday, the Pacific moisture makes its way into the BC interior with moderate amounts expected. 

The interior snow will taper off to flurries overnight Friday and general clearing trend for the ranges Saturday.

A trough of low pressure over the northern Gulf of Alaska will send bands of clouds over the South Klondike Highway on Friday and Saturday generating a few flurries but no significant snow accumulations.

Ridgetop winds light on Friday morning becoming  moderate southwesterly near midday Friday and continuing through Saturday.

Rounds of Pacific Moisture

Morgen Shull, Greg Walters

An incoming trough of low pressure will approach the BC coast today, bringing moderate to heavy precipitation and strong mountaintop winds to the coastal ranges.

A brief lull early Thursday before another weather system pushes into the BC coast Thursday afternoon/evening with, once again, significant precipitation and strong mountaintop winds. 