Winds are expected to increase substantially through Thursday afternoon.
“An approaching low pressure centre will track across the south coast this afternoon. Strong southeasterly winds with gusts near 80 kilometres per hour expected ahead of the system during the day for places near Strait of Georgia.”
As the storm passes, winds following will be between 50 and 80 kilometres per hour Thursday evening before gradually easing, according to Environment Canada.
The storm comes after somewhat of a bombardment for the region this week.
Over 15,000 BC Hydro customers had power knocked out in the Nanaimo, Parksville-Qualicum Beach areas on Monday, Dec. 15 as a result of a first storm moving through, while over 100,000 Lower Mainland customers were also knocked off the grid the following day from a second storm.
“Local utility outages may occur,” Environment Canada warned of the approaching storm. “Parks and forests will likely sustain some damage. There is a risk to injury from flying or falling debris.”
The special weather statement also covers most of the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, as well as parts of the Sunshine Coast.
A yellow alert for wind is in effect for the Greater Victoria area, with gusts upwards of 90 kilometres per hour expected.
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