Many Islanders will have to hold on to their hats on Thursday, as Environment Canada issues wind warnings for the North Island and the West Coast.
North Vancouver Island
For North Vancouver Island, winds strong enough to cause damage are expected to blow through the region in the afternoon.
An approaching low-pressure system west of Vancouver Island Thursday morning is set to head northwards to lie over Haida Gwaii in the evening.
Gusting southeast winds — ranging from 90 km/h up to 110 km/h — will develop over North Vancouver Island, Central Coast Coastal Sections and Haida Gwaii, then spread to North Coast Coastal section later on into the evening.
Winds will ease later in into evening as the low moves north into the Alaskan Panhandle.
West Vancouver Island
West Vancouver Islanders will also be blasted by winds expected to reach up to 100km/h on Thursday.
Strong gusts are expected on the West Coast as a frontal system bringing southeast winds of 80km/h gusting to 100 km/h will develop in the morning.
By the late afternoon, the winds will ease and become southwesterly, but a new bout of gusts will pick up on Friday morning.
A second system will approach the west coast of Vancouver Island early on Friday morning with southeast winds increasing to 80 km/h up to 100 km/h.
The weather agency is warning of possible damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.
For the latest information on weather warnings and forecasts, visit the Environment Canada website.
Environment Canada’s map showing wind warnings on Vancouver Island
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Rebecca Lawrence
