A wind warning has been issued for Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands as parts of the province sees an early taste of winter.
Environment Canada says an Arctic ridge of high pressure over the B.C. Interior will intensify this evening. Also this evening, strong northeasterly outflow winds up to 70 km/h gusting to 90 will develop for the Southern Gulf Islands, and overnight for Howe Sound and Greater Victoria.
Strong northeasterly outflow winds with gusts up to 90 km/h will also develop early Wednesday morning for the western and central Fraser Valley as well as southeast sections of Metro Vancouver including Surrey and Langley.
The strong winds are expected to ease Wednesday night.
Environment Canada said damage to buildings, such as roof shingles and windows, may occur. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.
Parts of Vancouver Island saw flurries Tuesday morning, including the Malahat, Lantzville, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, Errington and Qualicum Beach. Ploughs were able to quickly clear the snow and some of it was already melting by Tuesday afternoon.
Snowing in Dashwood @50ShadesofVan @ParksvilleWX @alberniweather #bcsnow #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/k4X9W4Ecqb
— Dashwood Fire Department (@Dashwood6) November 26, 2019
#snow has started falling in #Nanaimo @CHEK_News also reports of up to 1 inch of the white stuff in #Cowichan @alberniweather pic.twitter.com/CtufEVu9h1
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) November 26, 2019
Plows now out. Burst of snow, about 2cm max in #BlackCreek quickly disappearing. @CHEK_News #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/QOVBcRjKtL
— Dean Stoltz (@deanstoltzchek) November 26, 2019
Hamm Rd. #BlackCreek right now. Light rain/snow 0 degrees. @CHEK_News #bcstorm #bcsnow pic.twitter.com/5Q47e9Nj6z
— Dean Stoltz (@deanstoltzchek) November 26, 2019
…and then about 3 km north of Hamm Rd. on Hwy 19, nothing. Very isolated snow around #BlackCreek. #bcstorm #bcsnow pic.twitter.com/bBnJFDDb8Q
— Dean Stoltz (@deanstoltzchek) November 26, 2019
Elsewhere in B.C., special weather statements for the South Coast, Central Coast, Cariboo and Peace River regions were issued Tuesday morning.
Environment Canada said Arctic air will begin flowing into the north part of the province Tuesday, with temperatures dropping to the –15 C to –25 C range. Windchill will become a factor in northern and central B.C. areas through Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Arctic air will deepen Thursday and Friday in those areas, pushing temperatures even lower.
The chill is forecast to reach the B.C. South Coast by Wednesday night. Temperatures will dip below freezing for coastal communities, and gusty winds will amplify the cold. Later in the week, temperatures in the southern region could slide down to –5 or even –10 C.
Higher elevations in areas of Coquitlam, Port Moody and the North Shore could see a few flakes of snow but a full snowfall isn’t likely. Those closer to sea level will likely just see clear, sunny, cold, windy weather.
With files from CBC
CHEK News
