Environment Canada has issued a wind advisory for the Greater Victoria area, warning residents of significant gusts on Thursday evening. This advisory is accompanied by a special weather statement for the Southern Gulf Islands as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout the day.
Wind Advisory Details
Strong southwesterly winds are anticipated to begin at approximately 50 km/h on Thursday afternoon. As the evening approaches, these gusts may increase to 90 km/h.
According to Environment Canada, these winds are expected to gradually ease late Thursday night. However, the forecast indicates that power outages and property damage could occur due to the extreme wind conditions.
Alert Levels Explained
- Yellow Alert: This wind warning is classified as a yellow alert, which indicates moderate impacts expected locally and for a short duration.
- Orange and Red Alerts: These classifications signify more severe weather conditions.
Special Weather Statement for Southern Gulf Islands
Alongside the wind advisory, a special weather statement was issued at around 9 a.m. for the Southern Gulf Islands, Metro Vancouver, and the Fraser Valley. This statement highlights strong southeasterly winds with gusts reaching 80 km/h anticipated during the day.
In the wake of these winds, a shift to strong southwesterly winds of 50 km/h gusting up to 80 km/h is expected late Thursday afternoon and into the evening.
Recent Weather Events
This alert follows a week of tumultuous weather on Vancouver Island. Notably, strong winds and heavy rain led to a mudslide near Port Alberni on Monday, while heavy rainfall on Tuesday required municipal teams in Greater Victoria to respond to flooding and downed trees.
These conditions also prompted temporary closures on parts of the Galloping Goose Trail and Lochside Trail as crews worked diligently overnight to address the service disruptions.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on the latest information regarding the wind advisory and related weather conditions through the Environment Canada website or El-Balad.
