Metro Vancouver weather conditions may shift as winter continues thanks to the presence of La Niña.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Centre announced that sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean officially passed the La Niña threshold in December 2024.
Conditions have shifted from ENSO-neutral conditions - when neither La Niña nor El Niño are present - allowing the global weather phenomenon to influence local weather.
The announcement follows the centre's previous update that indicated La Niña would not develop until the end of January.
La Niña's impacts vary throughout the world. On B.C.'s south coast, La Niña winters are typically colder and wetter, although this isn't always the case. These years are often a boon for alpine enthusiasts looking for champagne powder on local ski hills; they also often feature more low-elevation snowfall in the region.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Derek Lee tells V.I.A. that "winter is not over" and more cold weather is possible in the coming weeks in the region. However, he doesn't expect Arctic air will arrive anytime soon.
Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes stretch of dry, cool conditions
The current Metro Vancouver weather forecast as of Friday, January 10, includes roughly 10 days of dry, sunny weather with overnight lows dipping just below zero. Seasonal averages for this time of year are a high of 6 C and a low of 1 C, so these temperatures are significantly cooler.
There is a chance for some frigid temperatures and low-elevation snowfall, however, as winter continues.
"We are in a La Niña advisory that will persist from February to April with a 59 per cent chance," he comments.
While La Niña is currently influencing the region, this year's signal is weak, meaning its typical features - below-average temperatures and more moisture - are less likely than seasons with a strong signal, Lee explains.
This year's La Niña event is also short-lived, arriving late in the winter and possibly ending early.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
