UPDATE 2PM- Severe Thunderstorm Warning Ended – But lightning continues
Warning Rescinded – now a Watch
The Warning has now been rescinded as the storm has weakened a little but a Watch remains in effect for both northern parts of Inland and East Vancouver Island.
There is also fairly intense Lightning occurring south of Port Alberni near Nahmint Lake.
Watch for fires, also hail and possible heavy downpours.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued (now rescinded)- Hail and Heavy Rain Expected
Details of its track are in the warning reproduced below. The storm is moving North.
12:52 PM PDT Monday 28 August 2023
Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect for:
Inland Vancouver Island
At 12:52 PM PDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain. This severe thunderstorm is located 20 km southwest of Upper Campbell Lake and is moving northwards at 30 km/h. This severe thunderstorm is expected to move over Highway 28 near Elk River Bridge within the next half an hour. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Large hail can damage property and cause injury.
Here is the Current Radar image, you can see the line of activity stretching from the Alberni Inlet up into Strathcona and the Sayward area.
Lightning App Lighting Up – inc. Sproat Lake and Great Central
Was surprised to see my lightning app give multiple notifications as I was driving in to work today of lightning. Looks like it’s all out the West Coast.
Here is the Environment Canada Lightning tracker page.
Here is the Lightning App.
Looks like there are some strikes at the end of Taylor Arm and on Great Central Lake.
Some rain Associated – Report all Smoke Plumes
The radar shows some rain with the lightning but it’s unlikely to help tamp down any fires that might start from the lightning strikes. Keep an eye out for smoke plumes in the hills.
Expect a warm and hazy day today. It might also be quite windy in the afternoon.
Showers hopefully coming Tuesday but mostly Thursday
We were hoping to get showers tomorrow but the forecasts have backed off to just a few showers mostly on the East side of the Island that look more like a band of thunderstorms like we are having today on the West side.
However, on Thursday a more substantial and convincing mass of precipitation comes in off the Pacific very early Thursday morning. Below is the 11PM Wednesday to 2AM Thursday picture.
It looks mainly centered on Washington State and the southern end of Vancouver Island, particularly Ditidaht, Port Renfrew, and Cowichan, but Port Alberni is included as well. Looks like some heavier pockets near Courtenay and Campbell River.
Here is the 2-5AM picture:
We’ll see how that shapes up in the next few days. This would also sweep away any lingering smoke for awhile as well. Let’s hope that happens.
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