Vancouver: Fourth wettest January on record, signs of spring
theweathernetwork.com
Wednesday, February 7, 2018, 10:12 AM - Finally, a break from the rain for Vancouver? After landing in the fourth spot for the wettest January on record, signs show a drying trend on the horizon.
As of February 5, there have only been four days in total this year (2018) where Vancouver International Airport didn't report rain, a trace amount or more. In fact, it has been raining continuously on a daily basis since January 15, which is over three weeks.
In January, 249 mm of rain fell in Vancouver, a month that typically sees an average around 157 mm. That landed the city in the fourth spot for the wettest January on record.
But it could always be worse, right?
In 1964, it rained every single day in January, and in 2006, 283.6 mm of rain fell throughout the month, making it the wettest January ever.
January showers bring February flowers?
With the rain, comes typical signs of spring in the city. But in February, that just doesn't seem right?
"It's not only feeling like spring in Vancouver, it's starting to look like it too," says The Weather Network's Vancouver reporter, Krissy Vann. "I've spotted some of the first cherry blossoms of the season and some of the flowers are starting to break ground."
Victoria, B.C. is actually known as the "City of Gardens" and boasts the mildest climate in Canada. In March, the city holds an annual flower count as a way to promote Victoria's "climate advantage" over the rest of Canada and to encourage spring visitation to the city.
Drying pattern
"The chance for rain showers continues through Thursday, but the streak could end any day now with a a drier stretch expected through the weekend," says Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern.
Currently, Saturday's forecast for Vancouver shows all sun and a high of 6oC. Similar conditions are expected to persist through next Monday with overall, a drier pattern developing for the province.
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"Now, if you’re expecting beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures, don’t be fooled, this is February after all," says Tyler Hamilton, another meteorologist at The Weather Network. "The sun angle is still relatively low, so low cloud/fog/stratus can have a tough time mixing out of the stable atmosphere. We’re still susceptible to weaker systems that can undercut the ridge, so precipitation is still possible during this period, although with much less intensity than January brought."
Is it true Vancouver typically has an earlier start to spring than eastern Canada? Yes!
"Using 1981-2010 period, the end of December is typically the mid-point of winter, while usually winter is peaking around this time of year for much of Eastern Canada," Hamilton. "We've pushed through the wettest months of the season, and begin a gradual drying trend towards the summer months."
And for those still hanging on to the hope for snow in Vancouver this winter, history says, don't give up completely just yet.
"Typically, YVR records less than 9 cm of snow for the February-April time period with marginally higher amounts away from the water," Hamilton says. "Most of these averages skewed towards the higher end by a few significant snowfalls, and most years we coast through these months with very little fanfare."
It's likely there won't be any more significant amounts of snow at sea-level, but several years in the past show it can occur.
"Not only are late-season snows special because of their rarity, but also their ability to catch the unsuspecting Vancouverite off-guard," Hamilton says . "Keep the shovel and salt at hand the next couple of months, in the unlikely event it’s needed."
