British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia is experiencing an unusually warm February, with temperatures soaring into spring-like territory and setting new daily records across much of the province, prompting fresh concern over the future of winter weather.
A stretch of persistent high-pressure systems has pushed daytime highs well above seasonal averages, with record-breaking warmth reported in more than a dozen communities, ranging from coastal areas to the Interior and the North. Cities including Vancouver, Cranbrook and Dawson Creek have all logged temperatures rarely seen this time of year.
One of the most striking readings came from Bella Bella on the central coast, where the mercury climbed to 19.3°C on Wednesday — a level more typical of early summer than mid-winter. Data compiled by CBC’s climate dashboard, using Environment Canada figures, shows the temperature surpassed previous February records for the region.
Local residents expressed disbelief at the sudden warmth. Anita Hall, principal of Bella Bella Community School, said the conditions felt unsettling. Stepping outside in her winter clothing, she was met with mild air instead of the expected chill. “It didn’t feel like winter at all,” she said. “It was surprising and a little strange.”
According to Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon, the anomaly is being driven by recurring ridges of high pressure parked over British Columbia. These weather patterns create stable conditions that allow warm air, typically confined to southern latitudes, to surge northward.
Sekhon noted that the repeated nature of these ridges has shortened the province’s winter periods, with colder weather often lasting only a week or two before giving way to another warm spell. “Overall, this winter has been highly irregular,” he said.
There may be some relief ahead. Forecast models suggest the current high-pressure system will weaken, with a trough expected to move in over the weekend, bringing cooler air and a return to more seasonable conditions.
Still, the prolonged warmth has already taken a toll, particularly on outdoor winter activities. In Prince George, organizers of the annual Prince George Iceman competition are anxiously monitoring conditions. The event, which features cross-country skiing and races on an outdoor ice oval, is at risk as melting ice and standing water replace frozen surfaces.
As of midweek, sections of the oval resembled a shallow pool, and skiers were advised to watch for waterlogged patches. Event spokesperson Sylvia Masich described the situation as disheartening, noting the irony that last year’s race nearly didn’t happen because temperatures were too cold.
With February delivering near-summer warmth in parts of the province, the record-breaking temperatures are fuelling broader questions about climate variability and what future winters in British Columbia may look like.
