February 2026 Forecasts and Discussions

[AbbyJr]

Big disagreement between the GDPS Parallel and the GEM at 168hrs.

gdps-all-namer-z500_anom-1588800.png

gem-all-namer-z500_anom-1588800.png

[PortKells]

A lot of that would be phantom snow. My rule of thumb is always to head due west from Vancouver into the middle of the Strait. Anything modelled there is well away from mountains and thus likely not terrain bleed. That would mean around 10 cm of actual lowland snow. I’ll take it!

I just don't understand why this would need to be said 400 times a winter (recently with excessive laughing emojis attached, not by you but another poster) when not one single person here has indicated they don't understand how snow maps work. They're still useful in telling us that there is *potential* for a snowfall.

Every single poster here understands that the snow total maps need to be high in order to get something like 10 cms out of an event, especially this far out. Do we need to ban snow maps in case some lurker takes them verbatim and goes and invests their life savings on snow gear? Or I guess just explain these facts every. single. time. we feel like posting a snow map? I guess I'll do that.

[wetcoast91]

Just a reminder to take the snow maps with a grain of salt.

[PortKells]

Ok I'm thinking the following PSA might be suitable for all snow maps from here on out, let me know if it's not detailed enough:

The following image will contain snow maps. Snow maps are generally used by amateur weather enthusiasts to support their love of snow, as it is a rare and generally celebrated form of weather in this community.

However, due to recent concerns by the community, we must be extremely transparent about the risk that this snow map is not 100% accurate. Specifically, the map may contain "phantom snow" or "terrain bleed", two colloquial terms that describe ways that snow can be inflated. Please refer to the following explanations:

Phantom snow is snow that is shown to fall when upper level temperatures (ex 850 mb or 925 mb ) or sea level temperatures, don't support snow. By not supporting snow, we usually mean that the temperature is not cold enough at one of these levels (850 mb, 925 mb, or sea level) to become snow. The maps struggle to reflect this due to low definition in their modelling output.

The map may also contain something called 'terrain bleed'. This is a phenomenon where the map appears to not have high enough definition, causing snow that falls on higher elevations to be forced onto lower elevations, creating the illusion that snow in the lower elevations like sea level to be far higher than in reality.

It should be known that all snow maps have always been fairly openly intended as entertainment only. I truly hope that this map doesn't cause confusion to you or your loved ones. Have a wonderful day!

[HarrisonSasquatchWx]

I just don't understand why this would need to be said 400 times a winter (recently with excessive laughing emojis attached, not by you but another poster) when not one single person here has indicated they don't understand how snow maps work. They're still useful in telling us that there is *potential* for a snowfall.

Every single poster here understands that the snow total maps need to be high in order to get something like 10 cms out of an event, especially this far out. Do we need to ban snow maps in case some lurker takes them verbatim and goes and invests their life savings on snow gear? Or I guess just explain these facts every. single. time. we feel like posting a snow map? I guess I'll do that.

l realize it's entertainment purposes only.

[HarrisonSasquatchWx]

Just a reminder to take the snow maps with a grain of salt.

For sure only way to get a laugh besidesAI Canada forecasts.

[wetcoast91]

Ok I'm thinking the following PSA might be suitable for all snow maps from here on out, let me know if it's not detailed enough:

The following image will contain snow maps. Snow maps are generally used by amateur weather enthusiasts to support their love of snow, as it is a rare and generally celebrated form of weather in this community.

However, due to recent concerns by the community, we must be extremely transparent about the risk that this snow map is not 100% accurate. Specifically, the map may contain "phantom snow" or "terrain bleed", two colloquial terms that describe ways that snow can be inflated. Please refer to the following explanations:

Phantom snow is snow that is shown to fall when upper level temperatures (ex 850 mb or 925 mb ) or sea level temperatures, don't support snow. By not supporting snow, we usually mean that the temperature is not cold enough at one of these levels (850 mb, 925 mb, or sea level) to become snow. The maps struggle to reflect this due to low definition in their modelling output.

The map may also contain something called 'terrain bleed'. This is a phenomenon where the map appears to not have high enough definition, causing snow that falls on higher elevations to be forced onto lower elevations, creating the illusion that snow in the lower elevations like sea level to be far higher than in reality.

It should be known that all snow maps have always been fairly openly intended as entertainment only. I truly hope that this map doesn't cause confusion to you or your loved ones. Have a wonderful day!

You are putting snow removal companies out of business with this post. Shame on you.

[tyweather]

Temperatures in the -40s and wind chills between -50 and -60 are forecast to persist through the weekend, posing serious risks to exposed skin, with frostbite developing in minutes.

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/ne ... -of-canada

[stuffradio]

I just don't understand why this would need to be said 400 times a winter (recently with excessive laughing emojis attached, not by you but another poster) when not one single person here has indicated they don't understand how snow maps work. They're still useful in telling us that there is *potential* for a snowfall.

Every single poster here understands that the snow total maps need to be high in order to get something like 10 cms out of an event, especially this far out. Do we need to ban snow maps in case some lurker takes them verbatim and goes and invests their life savings on snow gear? Or I guess just explain these facts every. single. time. we feel like posting a snow map? I guess I'll do that.

No maps for you!

[Hawk]

Just a reminder to take the snow maps with a grain of salt.

[Hawk]

Where is WP? Its Tiiiiiiiime!!

Driving home and saw the snow line dropped wayyyyy down on Burke Mtn. Looked to be around 2000 ft. Cold rain in the afternoon sitting at a chilly 6c. Its seemingly been months since we had cold rain with reasonable future prospects buttees

[Hawk]

It looks like its round 7 upcoming soon with WPro vs TheNito
Who will win?

Ill be back ina bit. Gonna go look at King GFS now

[Hawk]

eh, not so good. Onto the 00z

[Typeing3]

eh, not so good. Onto the 00z

#PhantomSnow

[Canada Goose]

Temperatures in the -40s and wind chills between -50 and -60 are forecast to persist through the weekend, posing serious risks to exposed skin, with frostbite developing in minutes.

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/ne ... -of-canada

https://x.com/i/status/2022147243630063676