The driest and warmest summer on record is about to receive a decent shower as a major change in the weather pattern is developing. The high pressure system that has trapped wildfire smoke over Southern B.C. will finally shift east thanks to a pair of incoming storms. The storms will merge two jet streams into a single river of sub-tropical moisture that will bathe the South Coast with the first significant rainfall in months.
UPDATE: WIND WARNING ADDED TO THE MIX.
Environment Canada is warning of strong winds for Greater Victoria on Saturday.
A rapidly intensifying storm will move across the South Coast this morning. Winds will increase to southeast 70 km/h ahead of the front this morning. Winds will gust up to 90 km/h after the frontal passage early this afternoon. Winds will diminish later this afternoon as the low moves inland.
Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.
Environment Canada are saying we will likely receive 80 to 120 mm of rain over the South Coast between Friday night and Monday morning.
“We can see this huge system developing off the coast of B.C. and that is going to stream all this moisture from the tropics right at the south coast. So for Victoria is looking at about 60 maybe 70 mm of rain over the weekend,” Environment Canada Meteorologist Matt McDonald tells CHEK News.
Due to the drought conditions over these regions, the soil has a reduced capacity to absorb water. Heavy rainfall thus increases the risk of flash flooding. Additionally, given the recent prolonged dry period, road surfaces may become slippery resulting in poor driving conditions.
To mitigate the risk of flash flooding, make sure drain spouts and sewer covers are free of debris, so water can freely drain. During heavy rains, avoid roadway underpasses, drainage ditches, low lying areas and water collection areas. They can unexpectedly flood or overflow. Do not try to drive across a flooded road. You cannot tell the condition of the road under the water.
