Expect some messy roads and wintery conditions beginning Sunday and continuing into Monday, as the first blast of snow for the season hits central Vancouver Island. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

OLD MAN WINTER ARRIVING

Pattern shift creating ‘potential for moderate to heavy localized snowfall’ in Nanaimo & Oceanside

Jan 31, 2025 | 4:17 PM

NANAIMO — Early forecasts for a snowy weekend and start of next week appear to be holding true.

Rainfall which began on Thursday, Jan. 30 is forecast to turn into a more wintery mix of precipitation through Friday, before further developing into snowfall by the end of the weekend.

Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven said “the right ingredients” are in place for snow all the way down to the coast starting with a brief burst Friday, Jan. 31.

“The cold front will move through, and our temperatures are going to drop pretty drastically in behind it down to zero or even a few degrees below. We could actually see even a quick burst of snow late this afternoon, into early evening.”

Whatever comes Friday is a precursor to Sunday and Monday’s main event.

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After a break on Saturday, Feb. 1, the predominant Pacific weather pattern will turn with winds instead coming from the east.

Erven said Arctic air will spill in behind a moisture-rich low pressure system.

“When those moist winds hit the east side of the island, it’s kind of those perfect conditions for getting what we call sort of localized bands of heavy snowfall. There is potential for moderate to heavy localized snowfall stretching down the east side of the Island…beginning Sunday afternoon, and then continuing Sunday night, Monday and Monday night.”

Anywhere between five to 30 centimetres are now expected, depending on temperature, precipitation intensity and elevation.

Erven admitted it was a large range, but it was typical for storms of this nature and setup.

More refined snowfall estimates are expected sometime on Saturday.

Erven advised people to prepare in advance by having blankets, water and snacks in their car if they plan to travel over the weekend or early next week.

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