Snow offers welcome escape from Vancouver's non-stop rain
Chad Pawson, Yvette Brend | CBC News | Posted: November 28, 2016 4:38 PM | Last Updated: November 28, 2016
November has offered 2 rainless days, but ski slopes overlooking the grey city offer snowy splendour
Vancouver's rain-soaked skies have been a static grey backdrop this November, but get up a mountain and it's a winter wonderland many discovered this weekend.
So far this month, there have only been two days without rain in the Wet Coast city, according to data from Environment Canada — Nov. 3 and 10.
That's one fewer day than October when there were three days that were essentially dry, and they were all in a row: Oct. 9, 10, and 11. That surpasses the old record of 26 days set in 1967 and again in 1985.
A total of 190 mm of rain was recorded as of noon on October 31 at the Vancouver International Airport making it the 10th wettest October on record. But with several days left to go in November, 192.4 mm of rain has already fallen.
Let it snow and let me go
While all the precipitation in Vancouver has made for a soggy existence, skiers and snowboarders have been celebrating in the mountains, where the ski hills are having their best season opening in years.
High above the city Grouse Mountain, and Cypress Mountain are both open on the North Shore Mountains.
And it's heaven for skiers and snowboarders at Whistler Blackcomb which has received over three metres of snow in the past 11 days.
For those stuck in the city waiting to escape up the gondola, many resorts offer free alerts tracking every snowfall, which might help lift the spirits of those stuck in the coffee line-ups on the grey streets of Vancouver, waiting for their chance to enjoy the snow.
With files from Stephanie Mercier.