Bracing and blowing Arctic air and crummy travel conditions will hit northern and central Vancouver Island this week.
The first Arctic outbreak of the season will bring bracing and blowing Arctic air and suddenly crummy travel conditions to the South Coast of British Columbia Monday night.The Arctic air will arrive from the east, spilling out the coastal inlets and valleys first, spreading west toward Vancouver Island before gradually dwindling. As the leading edge of the coldest air of the season arrives, bursts of snowflurries may rapidly reduce visibility while moisture on the roads freezes fast. Travel conditions will quickly deteriorate in areas prone to northeast outflowing winds, especially where recent rainshowers occurred.Local snowfalls of a few centimetres are common as the Arctic air arrives. Night-time windchill equivalent temperatures between -10 and -20c are likely in exposed areas, especially in coastal valleys and near the water at the mouth of Major inlets.After the Arctic arrival, the South Coast will settle into an extended period (4-6 days) of chilly but otherwise weather-less winter days.
The public is advised to monitor future forecasts and warnings as warnings may be required or extended.Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada at www.weather.gc.ca.