Lightning struck off shore near Nanaimo, causing loud thunder for people in the city's north end. (submitted photo/Sacha Caster)

By Alex Rawnsley

light show

VIDEO: Lightning storm flashes and dazzles across Nanaimo

Apr 18, 2023 | 11:36 AM

NANAIMO — A dazzling light show from a passing lightning storm brought bright flashes, bone-rattling thunder and widespread hail to the mid-Island.

It moved through the city around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, April 17 with several flashes of sheet and stick lightning centred mainly around the north end, Nanoose and south Parksville area.

Armel Castellan, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said unstable air masses, the time of year and a few other “triggers” were enough to have all the stars align.

“There were a few strikes just to the north of Nanaimo, closer to Lantzville, maybe even just north of that near Nanoose then over Lasqueti, up closer to Cortes and Quadra Islands and then on the northern parts of the Salish Sea.”

Some sky-to-ground lightning strikes were observed west of Nanaimo, as well as in the water off the coast of Hammond Bay.

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Approximate locations of lightning strikes on the mid-Island, including some in the water in the north end. (Google Maps/Lightning Maps data)

Instability in the region is forecasted to remain for the next 24 or so hours, with a chance of thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening, as well as Wednesday.

Pea-sized hail, which was observed from sea level to higher elevations across large areas of Nanaimo Monday night, is also possible.

“The jet stream is not as strong. These are not moving as quickly so we are going to see the low-pressure system hanging out offshore…keeping that flow steady but with different triggers in that time frame over the next couple of days that would be enough to possibly cause a thunderstorm or two.”

He added these systems are typically “lazier” and hang around for longer periods of time, but aren’t as ferocious.

They differ from other winter storms which can bring atmospheric rivers or other frontal waves.

Castellan added a new radar station is set for installation in the fall in Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast. It’s set to give a better view of the area for both amateur and professional weather watchers.

The weather pattern is gearing towards a warming trend, according to longer-range forecasts, with Castellan saying the final weekend of April is tracking to be relatively nice and warm.

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