Several storms in store for B.C.’s south coast over Christmas

A series of storms are expected to bring heavy winds and wet weather to B.C’s south coast over the festive period.

Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for all of Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, alongside the Howe Sound, Haida Gwaii, and the Sunshine Coast.

The stormy weather will kick off Monday morning as a low pressure centre off the province’s coast brings strong winds to the central and north sections of the coast, the advisory states. The intense gusts will reach the south coast by Monday afternoon.

“These winds will intensify through the evening and impact western and northern Vancouver Island,” Environment Canada warned.

“Late in the evening, the winds will increase through the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and impact East Vancouver Island, including Victoria, and areas near the water of Metro Vancouver,” it added.

Wind warnings are in place for the regions where the storm may hit particularly strongly, with gusts of up to 100 km/h predicted for Greater Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands, exposed coastal sections of eastern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, from Saltery Bay to Powell River.

The exposed sections of northern Vancouver Island and the central coast could see gales of up to 120 km/h, the weather agency warned.

Power outages and fallen trees could be in store until the winds cease Tuesday, while the storm surge could bring risk of flooding to some regions, it said.

While the first storm is forecast to end by Tuesday morning, additional warnings are in place for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

A powerful frontal system will bring a second storm to the north coast late Tuesday evening, with very strong winds and heavy rain expected to last until early on Thursday, Boxing Day, the advisory warns.

Further north, a fog advisory in place overnight for the B.C. Peace River region is expected to lift by Monday morning.