Strong winds, choppy seas and a lot of rain are expected to hit the region over the next five to seven days with a parade of storms brewing in the Pacific. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

wind and rain

‘Parade of storms’ expected to hit Nanaimo & Oceanside beginning Friday

Nov 8, 2024 | 11:45 AM

NANAIMO — Expect a wet and windy next five to seven days across much of the central Island.

Environment Canada’s forecast for the region features almost exclusively rain icons, with a “parade of storms” set to hit beginning later on Friday, Nov. 8 and run through until at least mid next week, according to meteorologist Lisa Erven.

She said relatively stable conditions this week will subside.

“We had a nice ridge of high pressure over southern B.C. and that deflected weather systems to the north coast and northern Interior of the province, now that ridge has collapsed and opened the door to a parade of storms.”

The first of three main systems is poised to bring around 15 to 25 millimetres of rain to the Nanaimo and Oceanside areas Friday evening, with Port Alberni poised to receive between 20 and 40 millimetres.

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Erven said this system is the remnants from one which has drenched the central and north coast of B.C. over recent days.

A second storm will hit sometime Sunday, Nov. 10 into Remembrance Day Monday.

“It’s a little bit of a stronger low pressure system than this one, aimed more directly at the south coast. With that, amplified precipitation amounts about 30-40 millimetres expected for Port Alberni, in the Bowser area about 15-25 millimetres.”

Nanaimo and southern parts of Oceanside will see around 10 to 15 millimetres, based on current forecasts.

However, winds are expected to be more of a factor.

“We are expecting some stronger winds with this system, generally from the southeast,” Erven added. “We could see wind speeds at about 40 to 60 kilometres per hour, maybe gusting up to 70 to 80 kilometres per hour, which is just below our wind warning criteria.”

She advised those winds could cause travel issues as a result.

The final storm is forecast for Tuesday, Nov. 12 into Wednesday, Nov. 13 and is presently more directed at Vancouver Island.

Erven said it’ll come with “a healthy dose of precipitation”, anywhere from 15 to 50 millimetres in areas from Nanaimo to Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni.

Strong winds are again expected.

“It will depend on the exact strength of that system and also where the low pressure system makes landfall. Any subtle change in the storm track can actually have a dramatic effect on the winds along eastern Vancouver Island.”

Erven said the region is entering a “very active storm period” where special weather statements, or wind or rainfall warnings, could be issued.

She said the Environment Canada app, WeatherCAN, alerts users as soon as a statement, watch or warning is issued.

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