Environment Canada has issued a snow alert for inland Vancouver Island.
The alert says that a brief period of heavy wet snow is possible early this evening in areas including Port Alberni and Lake Cowichan as the temperature starts to dip.
Areas could see from two to five centimetres of slushy snow, so watch out if you’re taking Highway 18.
“A vigorous storm is approaching Vancouver Island today,” the alert says. “This system will bring heavy rain beginning this afternoon. The combination of heavy rain and cooling ahead of this system will bring snow levels down to near sea level for a few hours early this evening. Warm air moving in this evening will cause snow to change back to rain tonight, with temperatures rising to double digits by morning.”
Meanwhile, its batten down the hatches Tuesday morning for most of the south Island.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for most of Vancouver Island’s populations centres for Tuesday, Nov. 17, saying that people can expect strong winds to sweep through the area.
Residents can expect winds up to 70 km/h as a strong Pacific low approaches the south coast and up to 80 km/h on the west coast.
“The highest winds are expected to come ahead of the associated cold front that will cross the inner south coast Tuesday morning to midday,” said the statement.
The statement may be upgraded to wind warnings as the front draws closer, Environment Canada said Monday morning.
The highest winds are expected to come ahead of a cold front that will cross the inner south coast Tuesday morning.
Environment Canada expects winds to ease Tuesday afternoon as low and cold fronts move inland and weaken.
Environment Canada warns that the strong winds can toss around loose objects that have been left outdoors and tree branches can break, creating a hazard and possibly knocking out power.
The weather alert follows a similar warning issued Nov. 12 for damaging winds that hit the region Friday evening.
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