SYNOPSIS: A large Pacific frontal system will gradually track eastward across southern BC for occasional snow and moderate to strong upper elevation winds today and tonight. A band of heavy snow is possible with the cold fronts passage this evening. Variable cloud and scattered flurries could linger in its wake Saturday morning. High pressure should begin to build from the south coast for partial clearing Saturday afternoon. Temperatures will trend milder.
FREEZING LEVEL: Rising to between 1500 and 1700m this afternoon and early evening. Dropping to between 1000 & 1200 metres overnight. Rising back to between 1500 & 1700 metres Saturday afternoon. Surface Saturday night.
FERNIE ALPINE RESORT FORECAST: TODAY: Cloudy with occasional snow. Windy. High near 0.
TONIGHT: Occasional snow, heavy at times during the evening and early overnight hours, easing toward morning. Windy. Low near -2.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONTODAY / TONIGHT 4-8 / 12-18
SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, 40% chance of flurries. High near +2.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods, 30% chance of evening flurries. Low near -5.
OUTLOOK: SUNDAY: Sunny with afternoon cloudy periods. High near +2.
MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. High near +4.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks, 40% chance of afternoon flurries. Increasing wind. High near +2.
CONFIDENCE: Fair. The main uncertainty concerns the local accumulations of snow today and tonight, some guidance suggests the snow will ease later this morning-early this afternoon. Timing of the cold front and its heavier band of snow is uncertain, its arrival could be delayed slightly. Convective snow showers associated with the cold front and airmass instability in its wake could result in variable amounts tonight. Some debate on how much moisture will linger Saturday. High pressure dominates Sunday through Tuesday but a moist southwesterly flow could result in variable cloud Monday and Tuesday, most guidance keeps southeastern BC dry both days.
