B.C. records exceptional, late-April warmth to conclude February

Yahoo

01-03-2025

The final day of February provided B.C. with remarkable warmth for the time of year, with temperatures exceeding 17°C in some locations.
These temperatures are comparable to late-April averages, and even the first week of May. You can thank a massive ridge of high pressure for the unusually warm values.
MARCH 2025 OUTLOOK:
As a result of the warmth, however, there is an elevated avalanche risk this weekend for a swath of B.C. A special public avalanche warning is in effect for parts of B.C. and western Alberta's backcountry, warning of dangerous conditions possible between through to Monday, March 3, 2025.
A snow slab 30-100 cm thick is sitting on weak snowpack layers, elevating the avalanche risk, Avalanche Canada said on social media.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect for most forecast regions across BC and Alberta until March 3. A cohesive slab of snow 30 - 100 cm thick is sitting over weak layers in the snowpack and causing dangerous avalanche conditions. Learn more at https://t.co/164ZogRPt9 pic.twitter.com/NM4TJfIPxv
— Avalanche Canada (@avalancheca) February 27, 2025
Let's take a look at the notable daytime highs we recorded in B.C. on Friday, Feb. 28.
Abbotsford: 16.9°C (8°C above normal). Its warmest February day since 2005
Agassiz: 17°C (8°C above normal)
Hope: 16.1°C (7°C above normal)
Lytton: 15.5°C (10°C above normal)
Merritt: 15.9°C (9°C above normal). Its warmest February day since Feb. 24, 1986 (16.0°C), and within 0.1°C of all-time February high.
Pitt Meadows: 17.3°C (7°C above normal)
Squamish: 16.7°C (12°C above normal)
Victoria: 14.2°C (5°C above normal). It was Victoria's warmest February day since 2015.
What caused the warmth was a towering ridge of high pressure that established itself across the province on Friday, and will stick around through Saturday, as well.
The ridge is responsible for blocking storms and promoting stable, dry, and warmer conditions. The late-February sun angle is increasing, and the ridge has redirected the jet stream from the southwest, ushering in mild Pacific air.
However, a more active pattern is expected to return to the South Coast for the second week of March and continue well into the second half of the month. Temperatures should be cold enough to bring heavy snow to the alpine regions, including ski areas.
Backcountry users are advised to use extreme caution while the warning is in effect.
Graphic by Cheryl Santa Maria for The Weather Network. Source: Avalanche Canada.
Precautions include:
Only using slopes that are 30 degrees and situated in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain.
Exercising extreme caution, as instability may be hard to detect.
Avoiding sun-exposed slopes.
Moving through avalanche terrain one person at a time, only re-grouping in open areas with no overhead hazards.
Checking forecasts regularly before heading out.
Bringing appropriate equipment, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and know how to use them.
Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates for B.C.