Forecasters predict thunderstorms, strong winds in southwest B.C.

Strong winds, thunderstorms and heavy downpours are expected to hit much of Vancouver Island and B.C.'s South Coast on Saturday night, according to Environment Canada, and weather officials are urging residents to be prepared.

The forecaster has issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, eastern Vancouver Island, the southern Gulf Islands, Howe Sound, Greater Victoria and the Sunshine Coast, as a weather system from Oregon and Washington state approaches the region.

Officials are urging residents to prepare for strong winds, which may cause tree branches to break and lead to power outages.

"With heavy downpours associated with the showers and thunderstorms, there is the chance of reduced visibility and also localized water pooling on the road," said Environment Canada meteorologist Nan Lu.

Lu is urging locals to look out for alerts and forecasts on the Environment Canada website.

Strong southerly winds and thunderstorms are expected to be followed by periods of heavy showers and the potential for gusty winds after midnight Saturday. By early Sunday morning, the winds are expected to subside.

"For the rest of the day on Sunday, we're just expecting a chance of showers and a slight risk of thunderstorm for the South Coast," Lu said. 

B.C. Ferries says it's not expecting the storms to impact its weekend sailings as of Saturday afternoon, but a spokesperson said the authority is closely monitoring the situation. 

Rain in southern Interior brings reprieve

In August last year, wildfires devastated communities around Okanagan Lake — but recent weather conditions are offering some reprieve to the region during peak wildfire season. 

Following months of drought and extreme fire risk, the southern Interior saw significant rainfall on Friday. According to Environment Canada, the region recorded more precipitation in a single day than the entire month of July.

"When the Okanagan gets rainfall, it's usually out of thundershowers ... it's not from persistently wet patterns," Environment Canada meteorologist Chris Doyle told CBC News. "So this is interesting. It's kind of more like a monsoon."

He said Friday the wet weather is expected to continue for a week.

Jean Strong, a fire information officer for the B.C. Wildfire Service, says it's a welcome change for crews battling wildfire in the region. 

"Any precipitation is welcome to those crew members on the ground," she told CBC News.

Just over 365 wildfires were active across B.C. as of Saturday evening, but over the past week or so more than 230 have been declared out, according to Strong. 

"With cooler temperatures, it decreases fire behaviour in many areas, which makes it easier for fire crews to get ahead of the fire," Strong told CBC News. "It gives them the upper hand with the backup of Mother Nature."