Incoming storm expected to hit B.C. coast with gusts up to 110 km/h
Wind warnings in effect for much of Vancouver Island and coast, with more outages likely; snow warnings inland
Environment Canada has warned of another fall storm set to impact British Columbia's coast on Friday, with wind gusts potentially reaching up to 110 km/h. This weather system could result in further power outages and disruptions to travel.
The forecast highlights a low-pressure system deepening off the Washington coast and moving northward. Winds are expected to peak Friday afternoon and evening, subsiding overnight or early Saturday. While this storm is not anticipated to match the intensity of the earlier system that knocked out power for about 300,000 properties earlier in the week, it could still bring down trees and power lines, complicating ongoing restoration efforts.
As of early Friday morning, approximately 10,000 customers on Vancouver Island remained without power, according to B.C. Hydro. The utility indicated that some customers at the ends of heavily damaged lines might not see power restored until Saturday evening. B.C. Hydro noted that crews from Vancouver Island and additional teams from the Lower Mainland have been working tirelessly since Tuesday to address outages.
Snowfall Warnings
Environment Canada has also issued snowfall warnings for several regions in British Columbia, including Chilcotin, South Peace, Elk Valley, and key highway passes.
The Chilcotin region is forecasted to receive up to 10 centimeters of snow as cold air from the northeast combines with incoming moisture. The South Peace region could see up to 15 centimeters by Saturday morning, while Elk Valley is expected to experience a prolonged snowfall event, resulting in up to 30 centimeters from Friday through Sunday.
On the highways, the Coquihalla summit is likely to see about 15 centimeters of snow on Friday. Meanwhile, Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass could accumulate up to 40 centimeters by Sunday.
