Thunderstorm threat becomes nocturnal in B.C., more active weather looms
B.C. will see a nocturnal risk for thunderstorms as the threat ramps up, with the chance of heavy rain, small hail and strong wind gusts. Thursday will see more active weather, with on-and-off rain for the South Coast and additional alpine snow for the mountain passes
The active weather returned to B.C. on Wednesday, along with some significantly warm temperatures.
B.C. reached its first 20-degree reading on Tuesday, with Osoyoos recording a balmy 21 C. The same surge of mild air also generated thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon amid the rise in convection with the new system. The risk will continue overnight, with the chance some storms could reach severe limits. The main hazards being heavy downpours, small hail, frequent lightning and strong winds.
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The unsettled weather will then continue through the end of the week, with more alpine snow for the mountain passes once the freezing levels drop on Thursday, along with another bout of rainfall for the South Coast.
Earlier this week, an avalanche killed three heli-skiers near the village of Kaslo, B.C., RCMP said.
Storm risk lingers Wednesday overnight
Wednesday's thunderstorms came courtesy of an offshore low. While parts of the Lower Mainland received some rain, paired with a few rumbles of thunder on Wednesday afternoon, the increased storm threat occurred in the late evening and overnight period.
SEE ALSO: 3 heli-skiers killed in southeastern B.C. avalanche, RCMP says
Locally heavy rainfall, strong winds, small hail, and frequent lightning will persist through the overnight with these storms. Some of the storms could become severe. Storms will develop and favour higher terrain, but can become organized and move northward Wednesday overnight from Washington state.
Freezing levels will return to 1,500 metres by Thursday, with snow returning to the ski areas and mountain passes.
However, more rain moves in on Thursday for the South Coast, and will be on and off through the day.
After a break on Sunday, an unsettled pattern is expected next week with significant rain totals for the lower elevations and coastal areas, and beneficial snow for the alpine regions and ski areas, including the Rockies.
A few systems will track into the region next week, but at this point, each of the systems look relatively routine, nothing major.
Temperatures will trend back to near seasonal late week and into the weekend, before colder-than-normal weather moves in for early April.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across B.C.