Northern B.C. expected to see a wet — not white — Christmas

A warming trend means northern B.C. may have a wet — rather than white — Christmas.

Armel Castellan, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says temperatures have been higher than normal in the northern part of the province with some places tracking toward the warmest December on record. 

"[We're seeing] 17, 18 degrees above what would be seasonal at this time of year," Castellan said. 

Businesses in Prince George, including its outdoor ice rink and popular cross-country ski resort, say they are taking a hit from the atypical weather. 

The Prince George Ice Oval at Exhibition Park has yet to open this winter.

"There's no point when it's well above zero and raining, so it's been incredibly frustrating this year with the weather," Kathy Lewis, president of the Outdoor Ice Oval Society, said.

Lewis says they've never had a Christmas where the rink isn't open.

With temperatures expected to come down slightly for the Christmas weekend, Lewis hopes they're able to open, even if it's for a short period. 

"If we get the weather that the forecast is saying ... we may be able to get a base established in time, but it's a bit of a long shot," she said.

'Warm' start to the holidays

A lack of snow has affected ski resorts throughout the province.

Prince George-based Caledonia Nordic, known for its popular cross-country skiing trails, had to close this week due to a limited snowpack.

John Bowes, general manager of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, says they were able to open earlier in the season, but closed again after a change in weather. 

"Unfortunately since [the initial snowfall] we have experienced warm temperatures and rain," Bowes said, adding recent rainfall has melted existing snow and turned trails icy. 

"We're trying to preserve what we have and make sure that it's safe for all our skiers."

Bowes adds the warmer weather has also kept them from using their artificial snow maker.

He says they need to wait until temperatures drop below –2 C before they can make snow and cover the existing ice.

"Everybody wants to be on the trails ... To not be able to get out there and not be able to ski has been a struggle for a lot of people," he said. 

Bowes notes that while temperatures have fluctuated year after year, it's been a few years since conditions were so poor. 

Castellan says that's likely due to an El Niño weather pattern, which brought warmer, milder weather similar to the winters of 2015 and 2016. 

"We've had three La Niña [events in recent years], which are the colder than seasonal temperatures down in the Equatorial Pacific," he said.

"Starting now, essentially we are looking at a mild [El Niño] signal that affects both [the] north and south hemisphere."

Castellan adds his team has been conducting an analysis of northern B.C.'s weather and expects current trends to continue into the new year. 

"[Prince George] will be the driest year on record since 1918, so over 100 years there," he said.

"I'm expecting a lot more warmer than seasonal temperatures [in the new year] ... though we will see a lot of variety [such as freezing rain conditions]."

Castellan says people travelling during the holidays should remember to follow weather forecasts and keep an eye on changing conditions, especially at higher elevations.