British Columbia’s North Coast returns to a ‘El Nino’ Weather Pattern after two years La Nina. The long Range Forecast is one of the best we can have for the BC’s North Coast with more snow and slightly warmer temps to take the chill off those early season mornings. With the Pacific Jet Stream splitting, we see the northern flow bringing the moist pacific air straight onto the North Coast where it collides with the cool air of our Northern Latitudes.

With the predicted El Niño, NOAA is forecasting a likelihood of slightly above normal precipitation for BC’s North Coast for the upcoming winter season. Their 3 Month Precipitation Outlook for December, January and February depicts the classic El Niño split of the Jet Streams with the ‘Tropical Jet’ dipping South toward California and New Mexico and the Northern component, the ‘Polar Jet’ swinging North and through the North Coast of British Columbia.

el Niño Jet stream pattern

A global depiction of a Strong El Niño with the split Jet Streams.

 

el Niño weather outlook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A typical El Niño event with the split Jet Streams, North and South. The precipitation generally follows the Jet Streams with drier, often milder, conditions prevailing between them. For BC’s North Coast and Inland Sections, temperatures in the mountains typically decrease by -0.5°C per 100m of elevation gain. Therefore at elevations between 800m and 2400m you can expect an average temperature of between -10°C and -6°C in a normal winter. A slight warming of 1°C to 2°C will only mean your fingertips will be a little less chili while skiing and riding.

 

el nino weather outlook

Terrace BC’s average temperature and precipitation at YXT airport. Skiing elevation temperatures are approx. -6°C cooler at treeline elevations of 1400m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest El Niño Weather Outlook Bodes well for BC’s North Coast – Bring on the snow!

BC is the birthplace of heli skiing (or heliskiing or helicopter skiing as it’s variously known) and is home to more heli ski operators than anywhere else in the world. The rugged, majestic mountains, deep snowpack and world-class lodges have made it a mecca for those seeking the ultimate powder skiing experience. But it’s important to understand the different heli ski regions of Canada’s westernmost province, and the conditions in each throughout the winter so you know when to go heli skiing in BC.

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Forecast quote, fool me 92748 times, you are a weather man.Ah Long Range Weather Forecasts… What can we say, we take it day by day or better yet minute by minute! This year’s long-range forecast for the winter couldn’t have been more wrong. In the fall they were calling for a warmer then average winter that would be death blow to the ski industry. This winter ended up being a great mix of good snow and long periods of cold, clear skies, that made for an excellent season. In fact, it was actually the coldest season on record for BC! Pretty much the exact opposite of the forecast of doom and gloom. Read more

La Niña Forcast, October 12th,  2017 – John Forrest – Northern Escape Heli Skiing

Bring on La Nina for the 2018 heli skiing season.

Blower Pow thanks to La Niña.

There’s been hopes, there’s been whispers, and there’s been all out rumours, but it’s official now – NOAA released its long-range forecast for this winter and La Niña is back baby!

Not only is she back, but also the NOAA winter prediction is that La Niña will be stronger than the 2017 ski season. And, for anyone who was heli skiing in British Columbia last season, you know it’s going to be EPIC! Read more

Join Us for Heli Skiing In January 2018!

The new winter forecast is snow.

Weather map showing the jet stream of snow.

Jet stream on the war path!

It puts ENSO (EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION) neutral conditions lasting well into fall before Ullr’s prized pow arrives for the winter. However, that same forecast has the jet stream moving further north as a ridge builds along the Pacific Crest, giving way to large snowfall totals for the Pacific North West, along with coastal and interior British Columbia. We are excited about this winter forecast for snow, snow, snow. Read more

la nina weather phenomenon

The Weather forecasters are at it again! With this season being unseasonably warm for us up in the north due to el Nino, the prediction for next season is LA NINA!!  This is great news for skiers and boarders.  The last La Nina for us was in 2011 and that was a year of record snow! Read more

IMG_1638_1024Heli Skiing Safety is our top priority at Northern Escape. Our guides are focused on creating the ultimate heli skiing experience for our guests while keeping everyone as safe as possible. For this reason, when avalanche risks reach a hazardous level our guiding team use explosives to mitigate these threats. Read more

Positive preseason conditionsSo far every foray into the mountains has seen the guides returning with smiles on their faces and reporst of positive preseason conditions. “The skiing has been excellent,” reports Owen Day, assistant guiding operations manager. “We’ve had some really productive days in the mountains,” adds Mikey Olsthoorn, guiding operations manager, “we’ve been digging and building landings and pick ups. Many of our classic heli ski runs are ready to go.”

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Goearly season conditionsdzilla El Niño just keeps on delivering!

Yvan, one of our guides, reported back on conditions out at Shames Mt. earlier this month;

By 11:00 am we skied down Prayer Flags in excellent condition. There was an 80 cm base which skies very well with snowfall accumulating very quickly. We had 20 cm’s on the vehicle in 3 hours at the Shames parking lot!Read more