Advertisement

Snow and wind warnings in effect for parts of B.C.

Click to play video: 'Windstorm wreaks havoc on B.C.'
Windstorm wreaks havoc on B.C.
Power outages and ferry disruptions as a powerful windstorm swept through several parts of B.C. today. Ted Chernecki has more – Nov 24, 2016

A number of areas in B.C. are under snowfall warnings this morning, meaning highway travel could be a challenge for some drivers.

Snowfall warnings are currently in effect for the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler, the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt and Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton.

Some areas could see snowfall amounts of up to 10 centimeters, while others could see between 25 and 40 centimeters. The snow is forecast to end early Friday morning when the Pacific frontal system moves east.

Environment Canada is warning drivers to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Whistler Village will also receive snow today through tonight, with further amounts up to 15 centimeters.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

In other areas of the province, residents are waking up to power outages due to strong winds overnight.

Story continues below advertisement

Thousands of customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island are currently without power. BC Hydro crews have been dispatched to all areas and the company is estimating the power will be back on for most customers later this morning.

READ MORE: Strong winds turn 2 hour BC Ferry sailing into 7 hour ordeal

Global BC meteorologist Mark Madryga says this storm is due to an intense Pacific front that rolled into the South Coast Wednesday evening, generating strong southeast winds in most places. Peak wind gusts exceeded 100 km/hr on the Southern Gulf Islands, and just shy of that over the open water of the Strait of Georgia.

Winds eased quickly early Thursday morning on Vancouver Island and will slowly decline in the Lower Mainland later this morning. Rain will fall on the South Coast through the day.

The strong winds also cancelled a few ferry sailings this morning.

The 5:15 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo was cancelled and the 7:45 a.m. sailing from Nanaimo to Tsawwassen is still operating but it is 56 mins behind schedule due to the weather. The reverse sailing from Nanaimo to Tsawwassen has been cancelled.

SkyTrain users are also being warned they may experience sporadic delays throughout the day due to strong winds causing debris to activate track safety alarms.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices