The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes stormy conditions for the next week, starting with a meteorological bang.
A system called a "bomb cyclone" is slated to impact the Lower Mainland starting Tuesday, Nov. 19, and continuing through the night, bringing powerful winds to the region.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Brian Proctor says the bomb cyclone looks "very impressive" as it rapidly intensifies over the Pacific. The cold air aloft that drove Sunday night's relatively rare hail and thunderstorm is associated with the system.
Unlike the hailstorm, however, Environment Canada has observed the potent weather system moving south from the Gulf of Alaska since last week. The bomb cyclone - also called rapid cyclogenesis - occurs when a mid-latitude, low-pressure system drops over 24 millibars in 24 hours.
While some rainfall will be associated with this system, it won't produce significant amounts seen during atmospheric rivers. Instead, locals should brace for powerful winds gusting 70 to 90 km/h, warns Proctor.
"This is a large wind event that will lead to power outages," he tells V.I.A., adding that the power outages will likely be "fairly extensive in terms of duration."
Proctor notes that BC Hydro can take longer to get the power back online following outages during storms, so people should have a 72-hour emergency kit ready.
Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes several storms
The bomb cyclone will start overnight on Monday but won't start impacting the Lower Mainland until Tuesday afternoon. Low temperatures could also bring more hail or freezing rain during the event.
The stormy weather should drop off heading into Wednesday but another frontal system is slated to move into the region on Wednesday into Thursday. However, it isn't expected to be as "potent," Proctor says.
Following that system, a third storm should make its way into the Lower Mainland from the Gulf of Alaska starting 24 to 36 hours later.
"Be aware of the fact that we are setting ourselves into this storm pattern and we will see power outages," Proctor said.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
