British Columbia will soon find itself in the grips of a classic and disruptive fall storm that’ll bring blustery winds, heavy rain, and alpine snow to much of the province.
Wind gusts could exceed 90 km/h in spots. Rainfall totals in excess of 50 mm are possible for parts of Vancouver Island, while snowfall totals could range from 5-30 cm for the mountain passes.
Be sure to stay updated on the warnings in your area, as conditions can change quickly when significant fall storms hit.
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The storm isn’t all bad news. The cooler air that arrived at the beginning of November couldn’t be more optimal for the ski resorts. In just three days, Lake Louise will see Canada’s first ski resort opening of the season.
Winds increase as storm pushes ashore
A storm pushing onto the B.C. coast will drag cooler air into the region from up north.
Heavy rainfall and snowfall rates are expected to push inland Monday morning, with snow expected along most highway passes, creating challenging driving conditions.
This temperature contrast will create a rapidly developing low off the tip of northwestern Vancouver Island in the pre-dawn hours Monday morning. Heavy alpine snow is anticipated across the Coast Mountains.
The associated cold front will bring gusty southeasterly winds across exposed coastal sections early on Monday. Victoria’s strongest winds will develop into Monday afternoon as the low drives inland, creating very blustery conditions by the afternoon period.
Aside from the strong southeasterly winds, gusts are also expected to race down the Juan de Fuca Strait later Monday afternoon. These winds have the potential to hit 90 km/h.
Sustained winds will be near 60 km/h for Victoria Harbour. Southwesterly winds will be the strongest across the Lower Mainland and western beaches of Metro Vancouver late-day Monday, gusting to more than 70 km/h.
Power outages are difficult to predict, but early season storms of this magnitude have been known to disrupt power to tens of thousands of customers. High tide is early Monday afternoon, so be extra mindful of wave-watching along the coast.
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Gust forecast:
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Greater Victoria: 90 km/h
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Tofino: 80 km/h
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Gulf Islands: 80-90 km/h
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Comox and Campbell River: 70-80 km/h
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Lower Mainland (south of the Fraser) and Fraser Valley: 70-80 km/h
Rainfall forecast (Sunday to Monday):
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Greater Victoria:10-20 mm
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Tofino: 50-75 mm
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Gulf Islands: 10-20 mm
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Comox and Campbell River: 20-30 mm
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Lower Mainland (south of the Fraser) and Fraser Valley: 20-30 mm
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North Vancouver: 50+ mm
Winter driving conditions are expected for those travelling along the mountain passes, so keep those dangers in mind if your plans take you through the region.
Winds will ease in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday as the low-pressure system moves inland.
An active pattern is expected to continue for the B.C. coast, including Vancouver and Victoria, through November. This is the wettest time of the year for the region, with near-normal or above-normal precipitation totals forecast for the month. This should allow the alpine snowpack to get off to a strong start as we head into the winter season.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across British Columbia.