A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for west Vancouver Island, while Greater Victoria, inland and east Vancouver Island, and the Southern Gulf Islands are under a severe thunderstorm watch.
Environment Canada said at 3:59 p.m. PDT, its meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing pea to dime size hail and heavy rain.
A line of severe thunderstorms over Tofino will continue moving southeastward this evening at 20 km/h, impacting communities along west coast Vancouver Island. Rainfall rates of 20-30 mm/hr are possible.
Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.
Greater Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands, Inland Vancouver Island and east Vancouver Island, from Courtenay to Campbell River and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay, are under a severe thunderstorm watch as of Wednesday afternoon.
In those areas, Environment Canada said broadband of heavy showers with embedded thunderstorms is crossing through. Thunderstorms within the band produced rainfall rates as high as 20-30 mm/hr earlier this afternoon.
Communities within the affected regions may see heavy downpours of 20 to 30 mm/hr until early this evening.
Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. People are also reminded to go indoors to avoid lightning.
Greater Victoria, west Vancouver Island, inland Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and east Vancouver Island, from Courtenay to Campbell River, Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay are still under a special weather statement.
Environment Canada said Wednesday’s heavy rainfall is the first storm in a week-long series that brings a major pattern change to B.C., in particularly the south coast. Periods of rain, heavy at times, will continue through Saturday. Embedded thunderstorms and gusty winds are possible.
This sudden change to a prolonged wet pattern combined with local gusty winds and trees shedding their leaves may lead to localized flooding. Strong winds may also lead to power outages.
Environment Canada said late this week the pattern is intensified once again by a strong low pressure system crossing Vancouver Island Thursday night or Friday. Strong winds, and where they materialize, will depend on the exact storm track.
A full list of BC Hydro power outages can be found here.
Alexa Huffman
