Peace region braces for further temperature decline, unlikely to remain long-term

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Despite it appearing as though the winter weather has finally arrived in the Peace region, Environment Canada says the cold is unlikely to remain.

According to meteorologist Brian Proctor, a “very significant” El Niño phenomenon has been a dominant factor in the warmer temperatures this season. 

Proctor says though temperatures are expected to continue to drop briefly, the forecast calls for them to rise above the seasonal average again.

“Things are beginning to trend a little bit more seasonal, maybe even below seasonal for a while,” said Proctor. 

“It looks like maybe a ten-day kind of idea, then it’s going to moderate up again and be above seasonal.”

According to Proctor, cold air is being filtered down out of the Yukon and Northwest Territories into northeast B.C. and the central interior. 

“We’re seeing a downturn in temperatures as we move into the weekend, with a better chance to see more flurry activity as we get this surge of arctic air coming through.”

Proctor says there is a good chance of snowfall overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday.

Overnight lows are also forecasted to drop into the minus -25 C range on Friday night into Saturday morning and Saturday night into Sunday morning, with a chance of flurries throughout the week. 

“It’s not going to be super organized snowfall. Then we see a 60 per cent probability of flurries off and on for the next five days at this point in time,” said Proctor

“I think the best chance to see significant snow will be when that surge of colder air comes down and pushes that arctic front back through us, and that’s likely going to be on Saturday.”

A current forecast for the Peace region can be found on Environment Canada’s website.