Wind, rain warnings issued as 'vigorous' storm approaches B.C.

UPDATE — Nov. 13, 2024: Rain, snowfall warnings issued as fall storm blows through B.C.

Officials have issued wind and rainfall warnings for Tuesday night in several regions as another fall storm approaches southwestern B.C.

Environment Canada says winds gusting up to 100 km/h can be expected in parts of Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, coastal areas of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the north and south Gulf Islands, and the Central Coast. 

The winds could topple trees and cause power outages and travel delays, says the weather agency, which characterizes the storm as "vigorous."

Heavy rainfall is also expected in many parts of Metro Vancouver and in Howe Sound, with 50-90 millimetres forecast between Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

The downpours could lead to flash floods and pooling on roads, as well as washouts near waterways, Environment Canada warns.

Although not all of southwestern B.C. is covered by both the rainfall and wind warnings, Environment Canada meteorologist Chris Doyle says people across the region should still expect a storm Tuesday night.

"This is pretty close to a run-of-the-mill fall storm for the B.C. South Coast," he said.

Downtown Vancouver isn't covered by any warnings but will still see strong winds, Doyle said.

"You're going to get very gusty winds because the high rises actually pull the winds at a higher level right down to the surface," Doyle said. "So you get these little wind tunnel effects."

Winds will ease by Wednesday morning in most areas, but on the west coast of Vancouver Island and the Central Coast, winds of 40-70 km/h will persist for the day.