Bomb cyclone building over Pacific Ocean will reach B.C. shores on Sunday
A bomb cyclone storm is expected to make landfall in B.C. on Sunday, bringing wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
The storm has been brewing over the Pacific Ocean for several days, and although it will reach its peak before reaching B.C.’s shores, it’s likely to cause damage and power outages.
Wind and rain are expected to begin early Sunday morning and continue through Monday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon.
A storm is called a bomb cyclone’ when its pressure system quickly intensifies by dropping 24 millibars within 24 hours, Sekhon said.
“That means really strong winds and heavy rain embedded in that storm,” he said.
“This bomb is happening offshore, and by the time it comes to Northern Vancouver Island, it's actually going to ... be a lot less intensive than what we've seen over the Pacific.”
Environment Canada has issued special weather and wind warnings for the majority of Vancouver Island and the southern coast of the mainland, including Metro Vancouver.
On Monday morning, the western areas of Metro Vancouver will see their strongest winds with gusts potentially exceeding 80 kilometres per hour.
Southeast winds of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour are expected in several southern coastal regions, and wind gusts possibly exceeding 100 kilometres per hour are expected on northern Vancouver Island.
The storm will be dynamic, Sekhon said, and he warned people not to be fooled into a false sense of security when a forecasted lull sets in.
“We’re going to see winds ramping up (Sunday) morning, and they may have a little bit of a lull on Sunday evening,” he said.
“But then (the winds will) ramp back up on Monday so it’s really a 24-hour event, with some fluctuation in the wind speed.”
Sekhon also encouraged people to be ready for power outages and to secure loose items in their yards.
“Everybody should take some caution as, you know, there could be power outages, tree damage, and flying objects that are loose,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.