Much of British Columbia will welcome the first week of fall with wet, cool conditions after enduring a summer of drought.
Autumn officially begins at 11:50 p.m. PST on Friday. A series of fall storms are set to hit the B.C. coast, particularly the South Coast, beginning Saturday through much of next week, according to Global BC meteorologists.
These storms will bring much-needed rain and strong winds at times.
The first in this series will bring rain to the South Coast on Saturday and some gusty winds in the afternoon. However, Sunday nights storm looks to be much stronger.
During the day Sunday, the South Coast will enjoy a bit of ‘calm before the storm’ with some blue sky.
The winds will begin to pick up in the afternoon on Sunday and will be strongest sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Wind forecasts for the South Coast are not easy to produce accurately for all regions, especially two days out.
Members of the public should stayed tuned for updates and changes through the weekend and prepare for power outages, as trees are drought-stricken and could break more easily under stress from winds.
Delays in the ferries are also possible.
Environment Canada forecasts show show heavy rain should arrive Monday and more than 100 millimetres are expected across parts of western Vancouver Island by early Tuesday.
Accumulations elsewhere on the south coast could range from 30 to about 50 millimetres over the same period.
Officials have said extended periods of significant rainfall will be needed to ease the drought that has gripped B.C. since last summer. Crews have taken advantage of cooler, calmer conditions to make headway on several wildfires, declaring the destructive McDougall Creek blaze as “held” and ranking more wildfires as being held than being out of control.
The BC Wildfire Service says just under 400 active fires are burning in the province, with 146 of them rated as out of control and 147 listed as being held, meaning they are unlikely to spread beyond current containment lines.
— With files from The Canadian Press
Comments