Fort St. John sees 300 per cent of average December snow in first 18 days

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — With 12 days still to go, Environment Canada says the region has seen 300 per cent of its average December snowfall, and is forecasting more. 

So far this month, from December 1st to 18th, Environment Canada-operated weather stations in Fort St. John recorded 80.9 centimetres of snowfall.

Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, explained the snowfall and temperatures were due to an “Arctic air mass” which has remained “entrenched” over the region. 

“It’s been a very substantial amount of snow coming in, but it really settled in sort of over the top of us, and really produced some significant amounts of snow,” Proctor said. 

“Typically, if we look at our normal period of the month of December, we should typically see somewhere on the order of 26.8 centimetres at the Fort St. John airport.”

In December 2024, Environment Canada recorded 36.6 centimetres of snow for the entire month.

In November 2025, the region saw 31.4 centimetres of snow, whereas November 2024 saw 77.5 centimetres.

Proctor explained Environment Canada anticipates the Arctic air to begin to recede northwards into the end of December, before returning in the first week of January.

“It’s a little bit milder through Christmas, and then…the cold comes back with a vengeance,” Proctor said. 

When asked if the recent snowfall would challenge historic numbers, Proctor explained the area has seen 300 per cent of its average snowfall for December, and there are 12 days yet to come. 

After 50 centimetres of snow fell in the first 15 days, the City of Fort St. John brought in contractors to assist with snow removal and management on roads throughout the city. 

“I would say it’s looking to be a very wet, very snowy December at this point in time, as to whether it’s going to be the all-time record, I really can’t say until we get a better idea of what comes down the pipes over the next little while,” Proctor said. 

Proctor also noted the winter weather would benefit the drought conditions the region has suffered from in recent years, as long as temperatures gradually warm up at the end of the season. 

“We really like to get even more snow back in and then get a gradual melt out to really address the long-term concerns,” Proctor said. 

“It’s not enough to alleviate long-term drought concerns, but it’s a real start.”

On December 19th, Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures near -23 C, with wind chills of -34 C and periods of light snow. 

On December 20th, snow is expected to continue with a high of -28 C, and on December 21st periods of snow with a high of -25 C.