The sight of rain is expected to now be a regular occurrence regionally following a prolonged drought. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

weather change

Abrupt weather shift to hit mid Island, motorists told to watch out for slick roads

Oct 21, 2022 | 5:34 AM

NANAIMO — This unseasonably warm and dry extended run of weather is about to drastically change.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau said a weather system containing clouds and cooler air is expected to settle in starting on Friday, Oct 21.

“It’s going to bring some rain, some cloud and much cooler temperatures and that will stick around through the weekend and through next week,” Charbonneau told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Environment Canada is expecting multiple rounds of rain on the mid Island region for at least the next week, with Charbonneau pointing out it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how much to expect.

She said one weather models projected rainfall in the Nanaimo area next week at about 20 millimeters, while another called for 50 millimeters.

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While rain is much needed, Charbonneau said a lot all at once is not ideal.

“The concern is that is has been so long without precipitation there’s the potential the ground is very hard and it might not absorb the rain as well, particularly if we see intense rainfall amounts.”

Nanaimo has not had a single millimeter of rain up until Oct. 20, following a much drier than normal summer.

A typical October brings 102 millimeters of rain to the Harbour City, Charbonneau noted.

She said fall-like weather patterns for the time-being should bring daytime temperature highs of 12 degrees, with consistent cycles of rain and wind.

Nanaimo RCMP are warning motorists to be mindful of the pending rain.

Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said the first rainfall following a long dry spell pulls oil and other debris to road surfaces, often leading to an increase in crashes.

“Now they have to switch onto the fact that the roads are wet, so make sure your wipers are working and that you’re leaving sufficient distance between yourself and the car in front of you to stop,” O’Brien said.

Any combination of speed, distracted driving and slick roads can prove to be dangerous for all road users, O’Brien said.

He said Pooling water on roads and highways can easily translate to hydro-planing during and after steady rain events.

“If you keep your speed down and rive according to the weather conditions you should be okay.”

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes