Advertisement

Late-season thunderstorms set to batter southern British Columbia

Click to play video: 'Strong winds, heavy rain, expected as special weather statement issued in B.C.'
Strong winds, heavy rain, expected as special weather statement issued in B.C.
A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada from the Fraser Valley to the Columbia Kootenay, as an atmospheric river is expected to shift into the region. Senior meteorologist Kristi Gordon explains what to expect on Wednesday. – Sep 24, 2024

Late-season thunderstorms, powerful winds and heavy downpours could batter much of southern British Columbia on Wednesday, Environment Canada is warning.

The national weather and climate agency has issued special weather statements for the southern third of the province from the Fraser Canyon eastward.

Click to play video: 'Pea-sized hail hits Lower Mainland as storm sweeps region'
Pea-sized hail hits Lower Mainland as storm sweeps region

“A vigorous cold front will cross the province on Wednesday bringing with it very strong winds aloft and an unstable airmass that is ripe for the development of strong wind gusts, heavy showers and potentially thunderstorms,” Environment Canada said.

Story continues below advertisement

“Any thunderstorms that do develop will likely form a line resulting in the potential for repeated heavy downpours from multiple thunderstorms over the same area resulting in locally heavy rainfall totals.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The alerts include the Okanagan Valley, Shuswap, South Thompson, Kootenay and Columbia regions.

Click to play video: '‘Preparedness continues’: Dry conditions keep areas of B.C. at high risk for wildfires'
‘Preparedness continues’: Dry conditions keep areas of B.C. at high risk for wildfires

Environment Canada is warning of wind gusts strong enough to break tree limbs and trigger power outages.

It is also warning that gusts and crosswinds could create hazards for boaters and drivers travelling through high-elevation highway passes.

Potential thunderstorms may lead to “repeated, heavy downpours” and localized flooding in some areas, it said. It’s also warning of a heightened risk of debris flows in wildfire-affected areas.

Sponsored content

AdChoices