Temperatures on the Island could reach as high as 14 C on Friday, about 8 C above normal for this time of year, but it will come with significant rainfall.
Matt MacDonald, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said a pineapple express that is full of moisture from the Pacific tropics took aim at central Vancouver Island starting on Thursday night.
He said areas on the west coast of the Island can expect as much as 200 millimetres of rain from the system, while the the east coast can expect as much as 40 millimetres through Friday and into Saturday morning.
MacDonald said that system will pass through on Saturday, and it will be replaced with gusty winds and rapid cooling.
He said temperatures are expected to drop about 6 C in just a few hours on Saturday to below freezing.
“After all the rain, there is the potential for flash freezing and there’s the possibility of really slick roads and sidewalks Sunday morning,” MacDonald said.
“We could also see some wet flurries, but it won’t be the ‘snowmageddon’ that was experienced a few weeks ago. No more than two centimetres of snow are expected.”
MacDonald said the region will get a well deserved break on Monday, with the forecast calling for some sun and temperatures of up to 5 C, although it’s expected to dip below freezing again Monday night.
“On Tuesday, we should return to mild and wet conditions, with highs of 10 C forecast,” he said.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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