Lakes District and the Stuart Nechako area will see mild, dry weather through early December, with light snow possible later in the month, but no major cold outbreaks are expected.
Brett Anderson, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, shared a detailed weather forecast for the areas around Burns Lake and Vanderhoof leading up to the Christmas and New Year period.
Through Dec. 11, the region is expected to experience a dry and mild weather pattern.
Temperatures are projected to be a few degrees above normal, making for a relatively tranquil and pleasant period. Precipitation will remain low, and snowfall will be below average for this time of year. According to Anderson, the region will likely see some light snow, but nothing significant or disruptive is expected. The weather will stay fairly consistent with typical autumn conditions, characterized by mild temperatures and dry spells.
From Dec. 12 to 17, while temperatures will continue to be above normal, weak storm systems may begin to move through the region. These storms will bring occasional light snowfall, but nothing substantial enough to cause major disruptions.
Anderson emphasized that the storms will be weak and spread out, with much of the moisture staying to the west of the region. Snowfall amounts are expected to be minimal, and the forecast doesn't indicate any major weather events during this period.
Looking further into December, particularly between the 17 and 22, the weather will shift toward a more active and stormier pattern as the region approaches the holiday season.
The likelihood of snowfall will increase, although Anderson stressed that there would be no major cold outbreaks or Arctic air. The cold air typically associated with winter storms will remain confined to Alaska and eastern Siberia, and British Columbia will continue to experience relatively mild conditions due to Pacific air. Anderson is confident that no severe cold spells will affect the region through the holidays.
The current neutral state between El Niño and La Niña complicates long-range forecasts, as neither weather pattern is providing clear indicators for what to expect. Additionally, Anderson pointed out that climate change is increasingly making weather predictions more difficult, as it introduces more variability and extremes that can be hard to anticipate.
Overall, the forecast suggests that while the region is likely to experience some light snow as the holiday season approaches, there is little chance of severe winter conditions or extreme cold. The region can expect a mild and relatively stormy period, with the potential for a white Christmas but no significant cold outbreaks.
