Environment Canada and Accuweather have issued a wind warning in effect for today and tomorrow for the Powell River region. The alert affects the Sunshine Coast from Powell River to Gibsons.
According to Environment Canada, a vigorous Pacific frontal system will stall across Vancouver Island this afternoon. Southeast winds will increase to close to gale force winds of approximately 70 kilometres per hour over exposed coastal sections of East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast late this afternoon and persist until midday Thursday.
Heavy rains are forecast to accompany the wind storm.
As of 2:20 pm on Wednesday, BC Ferries cancelled the 3:25 pm ferry departing Little River and the 5:15 pm departing Powell River. To keep up-to-date on BC Ferries updates, go to the current conditions page at bcferries.com.
In an email statement, Accuweather reported it did not have any actual statistical data on big wind/rain storms in the Powell River region but there has been more storms than usual.
“There have been a high number of bigger rain/strong wind storms than usual,” said Accuweather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson. “But we are also in the wet season as well so it is not that uncommon to see a parade of storms to impact your region.”
He added that the Pacific jet stream has been stronger and orientated from west to east, which is allowing these fully mature Pacific storms to crash inland across BC instead of tracking farther north.
“The stormier than normal pattern should persist through the first half of next week before we may see a temporary break late next week,” said Anderson. “The pattern may turn unsettled again the following week. There are some signs that a drier, quieter pattern may take hold starting the last week of the month. Time will tell.”
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