British Columbia

Pineapple Express hits Vancouver again

The thirda Pineapple Express in four weeks is moving through Vancouver, bringing mild temperatures that spell more trouble for the local ski hills.

Warmer temperatures mean no relief for struggling ski hills

Too little snow and too much rain has made the start of the ski season difficult at many B.C. mountains, including Mount Seymour, shown here in December. (CBC)

Vancouver may catch a break Thursday afternoon from the Pineapple Express bearing down on the city, but don't put away those rain boots just yet—round two of the storm should be arriving just in time for the evening commute.

Rain will be heavy at times with 15-40 mm expected overnight. Add in some gusty winds, and travelling may be tricky, with reduced visibility and pooling on the roads.

Another 15-40 mm of rain is expected on Friday, but it will come in waves, rather than a steady fall. And the North Shore will see the heaviest precipitation once again, with totals close to 120 mm over the next two days. Finally, the tail end of the storm will make for a soggy Saturday, before respite appears on Sunday.

But it's more bad news for the ski hills—freezing levels will stay up around the 2000 metre mark all weekend.

The surge of moisture direct from the Hawaiian Islands are not only bringing rain, but warming temperatures and rising freezing levels. Afternoon highs for Vancouver over the next few days will be in the low double digits with mild overnights.

Looking for the light at the end of the tunnel? Long range models show the chance of a period of drier and cooler weather starting Tuesday next week.

This is our third Pineapple Express in about four weeks for the south coast, making it quite an active season.