As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to change, residents of Vancouver Island and the Greater Victoria area are gearing up for the first significant fall storm of the season.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Vancouver Island and parts of the BC coast ahead of the weekend.
With its arrival expected on Sunday night and into Monday morning, this weather event is poised to bring a potent combination of rain and strong winds to the region.
The storm is set to make its presence felt across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast north of Saltery Bay. Forecasters are keeping a close eye on the timing, with the event slated to unfold on Sunday night and persist into the early hours of Monday.
The western and northern parts of Vancouver Island are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds, with gusts reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h. Meanwhile, portions of the inner south coast, especially those near the northern Strait of Georgia, should brace themselves for winds ranging from 60 to 80 km/h.
In addition to the gusty winds, rainfall amounts are forecasted to be significant.
West Vancouver Island is anticipated to receive nearly 50 mm of rain, while the northern Strait of Georgia is looking at around 30 mm.
On the other hand, residents of Victoria and the Gulf Islands can expect less than 10 mm of rainfall, and other areas should prepare for rainfall totals between 10 and 20 mm.
While the beauty of autumn is undeniable, it’s important to be vigilant when severe weather is on the horizon.
This storm brings with it the potential for strong winds, which could result in falling tree branches and local power outages. Safety should always be a top priority during such weather events, so residents are urged to exercise caution and take necessary precautions.
Environment Canada added that the wind advisory may be upgraded to a weather warning as the system nears.
