With the 2010 Olympics less than a month away, Vancouver organizers are reacting to unseasonably warm weather and heavy rain while Whistler enjoys even more snow.

Vancouver already broken the January rainfall average of 139mm (5.4in), and Vancouver International Airport saw a record temperature high of 13.4ºC (56ºF) on Tuesday, beating the old 1981 record of 12ºC (54ºF), and more than double the 6ºC (42.8ºF) average.

The warm air and heavy rain are causing problems for some outdoor Olympic Venues, particularly Cypress Mountain, which has now closed to the public two weeks earlier than planned in order to prepare for Olympic events in less than a month when it is due to host the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Halfpipe events.

Olympic officials have stressed that the Vancouver rainfall is not a problem and a scenario that they have planned for for many years. They say the venues will be able to operate next month when the Games begin on February 12th.

Olympic co-host Whistler to the north is receiving more snow, the latest storm to hit Whistler-Blackcomb dumped 70 cm (28 inches) in 24 hours over the weekend. Although it immersed the resort in deep winter conditions, the heavy snow and high winds prevented a number of lifts from opening until conditions improved.

Whistler has already accumulated more than 8 metres (26ft) since opening in November. Current base depths at mid-mountain are more than 2.5 metres (over eight feet), and other resorts in British Columbia have also been reporting big snowfalls.

“Even with all the snow this year, this latest storm was one of the most intense we’ve dealt with in a long time,” said Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain manager. “Ski Patrol has been conducting extensive avalanche control work, and Operations crews have been working throughout the night and day digging out. For those guests who endured the storm, the rewards were plentiful as there were many fresh tracks to be had.”

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