It might be a stay inside kind of weekend for some on the island this weekend.
A weather warning has been issued for the western portion of Vancouver Island and parts of North Vancouver Island, including Port Alice, due to anticipated heavy rain and strong winds.
According to Environment Canada, the warning is effective from now through Saturday morning.
Total rainfall amounts are forecasted to range between 100 to 150 mm. This substantial precipitation can lead to localized flooding in low-lying areas and pose challenges for transportation and outdoor activities.
Alongside the heavy rain, strong southeast winds are expected, with speeds reaching 70 km/h and gusts potentially reaching 90 to 100 km/h. These winds can cause property damage, power outages, and hazardous driving conditions, particularly for high-profile vehicles and on exposed coastal sections.
“The heavy rain and strong winds will ease late Saturday morning as the system weakens. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible,” read the Environment Canada weather alert.
The weather system is being attributed to a pacific frontal system is responsible for the anticipated severe weather conditions.
According to the weather agency, this system will bring persistent heavy rain and strong winds to the affected regions until Saturday morning.
Additionally, over West Vancouver Island, southeast winds will intensify from 50 km/h gusting to 70 to 70 km/h gusting to 90 throughout the afternoon.
Exposed coastal areas of northern Vancouver Island will experience sustained southeast winds of 80 km/h gusting to 100.
#ServiceNotice To ensure the safety of our customers and crew, certain sailings between #CampbellRiver – #QuathiaskiCove must be cancelled today, March 8, due to high winds and wave height.
View cancelled sailings here: https://t.co/zr02ik437Q ^ed
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) March 8, 2024
In a tweet Friday morning, BC Ferries has announced the cancellation of several sailings between Campbell River (Vancouver Island) and Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) due to high winds.
The affected sailings are those scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. This decision was made as of 8:45 a.m. in response to the adverse weather conditions.
