Incoming storm expected to hit southwestern B.C. 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 says a new fall storm will bring winds gusting up to 110 km/h to southwestern British Columbia on Friday, potentially causing more outages and travel disruption.
The forecaster has issued wind warnings or special weather statements across Vancouver Island and coastal B.C., saying a low pressure system deepening off the Washington coast is moving northwards.
The west coast of Vancouver Island is expected to see the strongest southeasterly winds, while coastal areas of the mainland will see gusts of up to 90 km/h. More sustained outflow winds of 70-90 km/h are forecast for the valleys and inlets of the north and central coasts.
Winds are expected to peak Friday afternoon and evening, before easing overnight or early Saturday.
Environment Canada said it does not expect Friday's storm to be as intense as the one that downed trees and power lines Tuesday into Wednesday, causing power outages for about 300,000 properties.
Still, it expects high winds may bring down more trees, cause further outages and slow down work to restore power for the thousands who remain without it.
As of 6:30 a.m. PT, B.C. Hydro was reporting outages for about 10,000 customers on Vancouver Island. The utility estimates some customers at the end of long and heavily damaged lines could be without power until Saturday evening.
"On Vancouver Island, all available crews, including additional crews brought over from the Lower Mainland, have been working around-the-clock since Tuesday to restore customers," B.C. Hydro said in an update.
Snowfall warnings
Environment Canada has also issued snowfall warnings for several parts of B.C., including the Chilcotin, South Peace and Elk Valley regions, as well as southern highway passes.
It said moisture is expected to reach the Chilcotin region and run into cold air coming from the northeast, causing up to 10 centimetres of snowfall.
The South Peace is expected to get up to 15 centimetres into Saturday morning, while an extended period of snowfall in the southeast is expected to dump another 30 centimetres of snow in the Elk Valley area from Friday to Sunday.
The summit of the Coquihalla Highway will see about 15 centimetres of snow on Friday, while Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass could get up to 40 centimetres by Sunday.