According to Environment Canada, there are two weather warnings in effect for the Greater Victoria region due to rainfall and wind.
The national weather authority is predicting between 40 and 60 millimetres of rainfall on Tuesday, December 16th.
This rainfall warning is expected to last well into the evening.
Heavy rain can be expected in east Vancouver Island near Duncan, the Southern Gulf Islands, Greater Victoria and along the Malahat Highway between Goldstream and Mill Bay.
“Another round of precipitation brought about by a Pacific frontal system, fuelled with an atmospheric river will bring more rain to Vancouver Island,” said Environment Canada.
“Periods of rain will begin this morning then becoming heavy at times by early afternoon.”
Drivers are being cautioned to watch out for water pooling on roads and in low-lying areas. Some travel delays are possible and motorists should account for extra travel time.
The second weather warning is regarding wind in Victoria.
Westerly winds gusting to 100 km/h hit the region on Monday, and are expected again today.
The regions impacted by strong winds are West Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, Greater Victoria and the Malahat Highway between Goldstream and Mill Bay.
According to Environment Canada, this wind is expected to begin this evening and continue until early Wednesday morning.
“A vigorous cold front will move across Vancouver Island tonight,” said Environment Canada.
“In the wake of the front, strong westerly winds will develop over southern Vancouver Island with gusts up to 100 km/h. Winds will ease early Wednesday morning as the front tracks inland.”
The weather authority warns that local utility outages are possible and loose objects should be secured.
Anyone who comes across a fallen powerline should stay away and call BC Hydro.
Both of these weather warnings are coded “Yellow” in Environment Canada’s new colour-coded weather alerts.
Yellow alerts signal potentially hazardous conditions that might disrupt daily life, while orange alerts indicate more damaging and disruptive weather that is likely to have a bigger impact.
Red alerts are rarest, and are reserved for events that could cause major destruction or threaten lives, such as extreme storms or dangerous heat.
