Higher than normal rainfall on the coast, and snow in the mountains, is expected throughout fall on the mid-Island. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

stormy, but not too cold

Wet and windy La Niña bringing stormy skies to central Island this fall

Aug 25, 2022 | 4:19 PM

NANAIMO — Make sure your snowboard is ready to ride, and your gumboots are leak-free as it’s set to be a wet and wild fall on the Island.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Anderson said a strengthening La Niña pattern should mean a fairly stormy fall and winter beginning in mid-October.

“We are predicting above normal rainfall, above normal snowfall in the mountains of course. More wind than usual, in terms of temperatures we’re going to be near normal at that point due mostly to the Pacific influence.”

During the day, he said temperatures during the fall months should be about average or slightly below.

The increase in storm activity caused by jet streams coming in from the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean will lead to more storms and cloud cover.

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“…which will also keep temperatures at night not as cold as it normally would be. More clouds and more storms kind of act as a blanket preventing a lot of that early season cold from coming south from the Northwest Territories. Probably looking at a later frost than usual in most areas.”

Heading into winter, Anderson said La Niña would likely start to weaken sometime in early January, but its influence will be fairly strong through much of the fall and winter.

“I would predict, at least at this point, a stormy winter compared to normal, above normal rainfall on the coast, above normal snow, good ski season in the mountains, and more wind than usual.”

Temperature-wise, he predicts the influence of that Pacific air will cause above-normal temperatures across southwestern B.C. for the winter, with less of the colder air coming from the Arctic.

–with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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