Get your rain gear ready.
The first active storm cycle of the fall season is expected to hit Vancouver Island tonight.
Today, the first day of fall, is expected to be sunny, but the cloud cover will roll in later in the afternoon briging wind and rain with it, and the rest of the week isn’t looking good either.
Environment Canada issued a storm warning for the west coast of Vancouver Island this morning along with realted special weather statements for the population centres of the south and east coasts.
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“A series of vigorous frontal systems will move across the south coast of BC tonight through Saturday. They will bring periods of heavy rain and strong winds in the first active storm cycle of the fall season,” the storm warning reads. “The first system arrives on Vancouver Island tonight, and will spread to the mainland before Wednesday morning and continue through Thursday.”
Rainfall intensity will vary across the region. Over Vancouver Island, total rainfall amounts over a two-day period ending Thursday will generally range from 15 to 44 mm with amounts of 100 mm or more expected on the west side of the Island.
This system will also bring strong southeast winds to the west coast of the Island starting Tuesday night, with winds of 60 to 80 km/h.
Environment Canada is warning residents that the combination of heavy rain with leaves on the ground may lead to localized flooding while strong winds may lead to power outages.
The wet pattern will continue with more rain expected Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Residents are asked to report severe weather to Environment Canada through email at BCstorm@canada.ca or Twitter at using the hashtag #BCStorm.
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andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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