Vancouver and Victoria on track for driest October on record
Vancouver and Victoria are on track for record-breaking dryness this October
Vancouver and Victoria are poised to break records this October, with both cities experiencing exceptional dryness.
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As of October 18, Vancouver has accumulated just 9.5 mm of rainfall, only 8 percent of its monthly average of 123.9 mm. Victoria has seen an even more pronounced deficit, with just 2.6 mm of rain, a mere 3 percent of its usual 96.1 mm for October.
For the year overall, Victoria has received just 349.1 mm of rain, or 57 percent of its average precipitation from January to October, highlighting the persistence of this dry trend.
A ridge of high pressure over the northeastern Pacific is creating a blocking pattern, steering the usual fall storm systems towards Alaska and the Yukon. This has led to a significant precipitation shortfall of 100-150 mm for B.C.’s south coast this October.
While isolated showers are possible Friday and Saturday due to a weak cold front, significant rainfall is unlikely before early next week.
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Long-range computer models hint at a potentially strong low pressure system developing offshore, which may bring widespread rain.
Confidence remains low, but it could signal the next opportunity for beneficial precipitation.