B.C. buried: Season’s biggest storm dumps over a metre of snow at ski resort
Almost 15 per cent of the entire season's snowfall fell this past weekend across B.C.'s South Coast mountains. We have the snowy scoop
A mega storm dumped more than a metre of snow on B.C. this weekend.
A well-placed atmospheric river stalled near Howe Sound, unloading a deep blanket of fresh powder across the higher terrain of the South Coast.
DON'T MISS: A reminder of March’s cold side as temperature plunge moves east
With freezing levels staying below 1,200 metres inland––right in the Goldilocks zone for optimal ––conditions were primed for one of the season’s biggest snow dumps.
Whistler Blackcomb just experienced its biggest snowstorm of the season, with an incredible 103 cm falling in just 48 hours.
This single storm accounted for 13.7 per cent of the season’s total snowfall, delivering 79 cm in just 24 hours at its peak. Over the past week, 124 cm of fresh snow has buried the slopes, setting up fantastic conditions for skiers and snowboarders.
Seasonal totals climbing fast: Surpassing low-snow years
This powerful storm helped push Whistler’s seasonal snowfall total to 752 cm as of March 10, a major leap from 628 cm just a week earlier.
The resort has now surpassed several of its lowest snowfall seasons on record, including the 2004-05 (635 cm) and 2014-15 (671 cm) seasons. While still below the 1,100 cm seasonal average, March and April often bring significant late-season snow, with the potential to push totals to seasonal averages over the next couple of months.
(Much) more snow on the way for March
Looking ahead, the snow machine isn’t slowing down. Forecasts suggest another 100+ cm of snow for the Coast Mountains, including Whistler, through mid-March.
With strong, cool storm systems infused with air from the Bering Sea still in play, Whistler Blackcomb is poised to add to its impressive rebound and deliver even better conditions heading into the spring skiing season.