Heads up, Metro Vancouverites: the weather is about to get a whole lot rainier.
Environment Canada has just released a storm surge warning for B.C. You can expect wetter, windier, and colder days ahead, as well as potential flooding if the rain continues to pour.
B.C. Weather: Storm Surge
Although it’s been a fairly dry fall so far, that is soon to change. With the temperatures getting colder, that classic B.C. rainfall is heading closer as the region shifts into late fall and early winter. And joining that shift is a storm.
Higher than normal water levels will be coming to the Vancouver Island Coastline. Environment Canada notes that “elevated ocean water levels accompanied by significant winds and waves are expected, possibly exceeding highest astronomical tide.” This is known as a storm surge.
It will affect the following areas:
- Coastlines along west and north Vancouver Island
- Central Coast from Margaret Bay to Cedar Island
- Greater Victoria
- Southern Gulf Islands
- Near Campbell River
Metro Vancouver areas like Ladner and Tsawwassen could potentially experience 20 to 30 mm of precipitation. The North Shore, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody could similarly see 40 to 70 mm of rainfall.
Additional Weather Warnings For B.C.
Coastal B.C. will face an additional frontal system in the afternoon, with strong southeast winds accompanying it. “The timing of the peak southeast winds with high tide will result in potential storm surge with water level higher than the astronomical tide.”
Residents in and around B.C.’s coast should expect minor coastal flooding, “especially in the low-lying areas”, as well as roads and walkways, which may experience flooding and/or debris, like driftwood and rocks. There is also the potential for coastal erosion in sensitive areas, like tidal flats, estuaries, dunes, beaches and barrier islands.
For more information on the B.C. storm surge warning, you can check out Environment Canada’s notice here.
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