Environment Canada issues weather warnings, statements for Vancouver Island ahead of weekend storm

The second in a series of atmospheric rivers is expected to hit Vancouver Island and B.C.’s South and Central coasts hard beginning Saturday, prompting a new round of weather warnings from Environment Canada.

The weather agency has issued warnings for east and west Vancouver Island, as well as special weather statements for inland and northern Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands.

The storm system will hit Saturday evening and will likely intensify into the late night and through Sunday, Environment Canada said.

On the east and west coasts of the Island, expected to be the hardest hit, nearly 50 millimetres of rain is expected to fall.

While Greater Victoria will receive less rainfall than the east and west coasts, Environment Canada says southeast wind gusts of up to 60 kilometres an hour are expected in the Strait of Georgia Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Environment Canada is encouraging motorists to watch out for flash floods and water pooling on roads, adding that localized flooding low-lying areas is possible.

The deluge of rain comes after a remarkably dry summer and beginning of fall on the Island.

According to daily precipitation data from Environment Canada, Victoria went more than 90 days with less than one millimetre of precipitation daily. Data from a weather station at Victoria International Airport shows 102 consecutive days with less than one millimetre of rain daily.

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