Environment Canada is telling Vancouver Islanders to expect “Bitterly cold,” conditions, “possibly snow” beginning on Sunday.
The first Arctic outbreak of the season will bring bitterly cold, windy conditions and possibly snow to the south coast and Vancouver Island beginning Sunday evening, Environment Canada’s “Special Weather Statement” issued today says. Temperatures will plummet 5 to 10 degrees below normal with overnight minimums around minus 5 when the cold air reaches the South Coast Sunday evening. After the cold air arrives, incoming Pacific weather systems may produce snow over coastal communities.
As usual, given the complexity of lowland snow forecasts, there is plenty of uncertainty around the arrival of snow, the areas affected and snowfall amounts. The earliest potential for snow is Sunday night. On Wednesday a stronger Pacific system may boost the chance of snow again. (The snow will not last long: warmer air will replace the Arctic air later in the week)
The public is encouraged to prepare for winter-like conditions. Stay tuned to the latest forecasts, warnings and updates.
Continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.tempetepacifique-pacificstorm.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports to #BCStorm.