B.C.: Windy start to the weekend before the mid-week rain
theweathernetwork.com
Saturday, January 19, 2019, 9:05 AM - Friday's windy weather continues into the weekend as many will experience blustery conditions on Saturday due to the lingering impacts from the deep low pressure system over the central coast. While the weekend will end on a dry note for many, we are closely watching an incoming system that will make for wet mid-week conditions. We break down the timing of Saturday's wind gusts, as well as the track of next week's precipitation, below.
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WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Wind warnings in effect for parts of the central coast
- Snowfall warning for Coquihalla, Sea-to-Sky
- Next system to bring rainfall Monday evening
The powerful low resulted in power outages for over 4,500 BC Hydro customers by Saturday morning mainly on Vancouver Island - wind gusts peaked in Victoria at 65 km/h, Comox peaked at 84 km/h, and a brutal peak of 169 km/h in Solander Island.
As the center of the system tracks towards northward the central coast and surrounding region will continue to see windy conditions until midday Saturday.
WIND GUST TIMING:
The rain peaked pre-dawn Saturday across Vancouver Island, and early Saturday morning across the Lower Mainland. Steadier rain tapers to showers by late Saturday afternoon.
Windy conditions always come with the risk of downed power lines and hazards to drivers. It has been less than one month since the devastating December windstorm, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada recently released a report stating that the windstorm cost insurers over $37 million in damages to homes, businesses, and vehicles. While this system is as powerful as December's storm, wind gusts will exceed 100 km/h off the northwest coast of the island.
Along with this potent system comes snow, and Squamish to Whistler could see notable levels of 20 to 40 cm, as well as 15 to 20 cm along the Coquihalla Highway.
Less snow is expected through the interior as the mountains will intercept the majority of the precipitation, with much of the region seeing around 5 cm of snow.
Early ferry sailings from Vancouver on Saturday could potentially experience minor delays and choppier than normal crossings.
This weekend freezing levels will be above 1000 metres, and by Sunday many throughout the Vancouver Island Mountains and Coastal Mountains will receive significant amounts of snowfall between 20-50 cm.
With heavy snowfall comes slope instability, and numerous locations are seeing considerable and high danger ratings for avalanches.
Avalanche Canada advises that it is best to avoid avalanche terrain if 30 cm of snow or more has accumulated, as the new snow likely won't bond well to underlying snowpack.
The stagnant winter weather conditions are resulting in elevated pollution levels in isolated areas, and Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Boundary.
As the system's rain tapers off Saturday, Sunday and early Monday are expected to be mainly dry with the exception of a few isolated showers.
WATCH BELOW: THE NEXT SYSTEM
Eyes are on the next system that is expected to reach the coast by Monday evening, which is set to bring a mix of rain and snow. Uncertainty remains about the exact track that the system will take, and it is advised to frequently monitor and check in for updates and forecasts to stay prepared.
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