Mild Winter in Chilliwack: A Record-Breaking Season
This winter, Chilliwack experienced some unusual weather patterns. January and early February brought mild and rainy days, making this season the “third mildest on record.” The warmth peaked on February 5, when temperatures soared to a balmy 16°C, a striking 9.7°C above the typical February highs. This broke the previous record of 13.3°C set in 1954.
Roger Pannett, the volunteer weather observer in Chilliwack, noted the fluctuation between high-pressure ridges and Pacific frontal systems. While February had its warm spells, a blast of Arctic air moved in later in the month, pushing temperatures down to -4.7°C on February 20. Despite this dip, it still felt chilly, with wind chills making it feel like -12°C.
The average temperature for February was 1.45°C above normal. Over the past 34 months, mean temperatures have consistently stayed above average, indicating a trend toward milder winters in Chilliwack, a phenomenon supported by climate data. Interestingly, even though 2025 was marked as a weak La Niña year—usually associated with colder winters—the local weather defied this trend.
Recent studies show that global warming impacts regional climates. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), warmer ocean temperatures can influence atmospheric conditions, leading to milder winters in some regions.
This winter also saw unusually low precipitation levels. The total winter precipitation was 679 mm over 54 days, significantly less than the average of 753 mm. Snowfall was nearly non-existent, at only 1 cm, marking the least snowy winter since 1982-1983. This continues the trend of below-average precipitation that has persisted for 15 years.
In summary, Chilliwack’s winter of 2025-26 was marked by milder temperatures and minimal snowfall, setting several records in the process. This season exemplifies the shifting weather patterns that are becoming increasingly commonplace. Keeping an eye on these changes is essential, as they may indicate broader trends in a warming world.
