Wind Storm coming! Up to 100kph Coastal winds. BC Ferries Cancellations and Power cuts likely

Will begin later this afternoon and evening.

Here’s the podcast to go along with this post!

Wind first – then Rain.

The picture below shows heavy rain reaching the West Coast of the Island by 4PM. However!

The next picture below shows the wind will have already picked up by then across the whole area.

Check out the grey areas near Courtenay and Powell River indicating 25-30knot winds already happening in the 1-4PM period. That’s 50kph. Well within range for BC Ferries to start cancelling ferries.

Extreme coastal winds after dark – Expect power outages.

Port Alberni should max out at around 50kph (25-30knots/grey). But coastal areas are going to see winds that may reach 100kph (55knots – dark blue). The peak of the windstorm should be in the 7-10PM timeframe, probably on the later side of that.

Notice the numerous bands of dark blue showing 55knots/101kph off of Tofino, Barkley Sound and northern Washington State. There is also a 50knot flag off Victoria and 45-50knots off Comox, Denman and Hornby.

I would expect this to cause power outages in the Gulf Island (south and north), parts of the East side of the Island and possibly some on the West Coast. It doesn’t look too bad in the Alberni Valley, but given these are southeast winds, we could see a few gusts higher than 50kph which could take down trees.

Strong Winds will continue through Wednesday morning so expect possible ferry cancellations up to around noon.

Rains not as severe but lingering through Wednesday.

The rain won’t be too bad. No atmospheric rivers. But expect up to 40mm over the 4PM-4PM period Tuesday-Wednesday in Port Alberni. Up to 100mm on the West Coast. Much less on the East Coast and Victoria except Courtenay and Ladysmith.