Parade of storms set to hit B.C.'s coast this week
Environment Canada forecasting heavy wind and rain over Christmas and Boxing Day
As Christmas travel kicks into high gear, several storms are forecast to hit B.C.'s entire coast, including Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement Sunday evening about the coming parade of storms that will reach as far north as Prince Rupert, B.C..
The bad weather is set to start Monday morning with strong winds on the central and north sections of the coast, and reach the South Coast by Monday afternoon.
The winds will intensify along the entire coast and around Vancouver Island on Monday evening, Environment Canada said. This includes Greater Victoria and areas near the water in Metro Vancouver.
This first storm is expected to end by Tuesday morning, but the coastal areas of West Vancouver Island, the North and Central coasts and Douglas Channel could see flooding due to storm surge, said the agency.
South Coast
On Christmas Day, a "powerful frontal system" will arrive on the South Coast and Vancouver Island. Very strong winds and heavy rain are expected to last late into Wednesday evening.
Then on Thursday evening, Boxing Day, a weaker low pressure storm will approach Vancouver Island, bringing strong winds to the South Coast overnight.
North and Central coasts
A storm will start on Christmas Eve late Tuesday evening on the North Coast, said Environment Canada.
Very strong winds and heavy rain are expected to last until early Thursday morning on Boxing Day.
Then, on Thursday and Friday, a slightly weaker storm is expected on the Central Coast. The low pressure system will approach northern Vancouver Island late Thursday, said the agency, and will bring strong winds to the Central Coast through Friday morning