Since Whistler Blackcomb opened for the season with marginal conditions and limited terrain earlier this week, skiers and riders have been eagerly praying for snow.
Thanks to a storm set to hit the South Coast on Sunday evening, those prayers could be answered soon.
The intense front approaching southern B.C. will bring along both rain and strong winds for approximately 36 hours.
Whistler Blackcomb is forecasting rain, heavy at times, throughout Monday, in addition to ridge winds blowing at 45 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 70 km/h. Around 49 millimetres of precipitation is expected to fall.
However, the freezing level on Monday is predicted to stay around 2700 metres, with a high of 3 degrees C in the alpine. Despite the warm temperatures, forecasts are calling for 25 to 35 centimetres on snow accumulation, with more snow continuing to fall Tuesday morning before easing in the afternoon.
If you plan on driving south on the Sea to Sky, keep in mind that Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings for Howe Sound, the North Shore and Metro Vancouver.
With heavy rain forecast to begin Sunday evening—with winds forecasted to reach up to 70 km/h for Monday and precipitation predicted to reach approximately 80 millimetres by Tuesday morning—North Shore Emergency Management is reminding residents to clean out their gutters, check their storm drains and be aware of rising water levels. Environment Canada is also reminding the public to watch for higher than normal water levels near the shore, as well as possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
