Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for British Columbia’s central coast, Sunshine Coast and Greater Victoria regions, forecasting gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour in some parts.
The weather agency says an intense Pacific frontal system will remain off the coast through Friday, bringing the strongest winds to exposed coastal areas between northern Vancouver Island and Bella Bella.
In the Sunshine Coast and the Victoria region, wind speeds are expected to reach 70 kilometres an hour with gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour.
Environment Canada says the high winds may damage roof shingles and windows in the affected zone and power outages may occur.
READ MORE: ‘Definitely going to be power outages’: Meteorologist on wind warnings for Vancouver Island
On Tuesday, the weather agency issued high wave alerts for the west coast of Vancouver Island and Greater Victoria.
Environment Canada says “a strong storm” from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day brought wind speeds as high as 172 kilometres an hour to remote Sartine Island northwest of Vancouver Island.
About 28,000 BC Hydro customers lost power along the province’s southern coast at one point.
That storm also brought heavy rainfall, with 178 millimetres falling at Kennedy Lake on Vancouver Island.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2023.
The Canadian Press
