Wind speeds in excess of 120 km/h reported in parts of coastal BC

VANCOUVER – A portion of British Columbia’s coastline is reporting gusts of more than 120 km/h as high winds batter the region.

VANCOUVER – A portion of British Columbia’s coastline is reporting gusts of more than 120 km/h as high winds batter the region.

Environment Canada says peak winds on Sartine and Solander Islands off northwest Vancouver Island have reached 132 km/h and 124 km/h, respectively.

The weather bureau says a wind warning is in effect for B.C.’s central coast, including Bella Bella and Klemtu, with gusts expected to reach 110 km/h in some areas.

The forecast calls for high winds as a “strong frontal system” moves into the region, potentially damaging buildings and causing power outages.

A separate wind warning earlier in the day for parts of the Howe Sound area just north of Metro Vancouver has ended.

Weather data from Environment Canada shows wind gusts of up to 98 km/h at Bella Bella Airport, 93 km/h at Pam Rocks station in Howe Sound and 96 km/h at Sandspit Airport in Haida Gwaii.

The latest bout of stormy weather comes just days after winds of almost 140 km/h were recorded on Vancouver Island, while a severe storm last weekend led to a mudslide that killed at least one person in the Sea to Sky area .

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press