Winter havoc in British Columbia: waves, wind, and warnings

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

In a relentless onslaught, British Columbia is grappling with the aftermath of a powerful winter storm, disrupting normal life with ferries cancelled, widespread power outages, and a heightened risk of avalanches. Wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h, surging waves, and heavy snowfall have prompted road closures and cautionary advisories throughout the region.

The southwestern part of the province, including west Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria, and the Southern Gulf Islands, is under wind warnings. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for elevated ocean levels along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, impacting Sooke and Victoria, as well as near Boundary Bay in Metro Vancouver.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3 in the B.C. Interior, anticipating up to 30 centimeters of snow by Wednesday. Additionally, snowfall warnings have been issued for various regions, urging commuters to check local travel conditions and consider delaying unnecessary trips.

The storm’s impact extends to coastal flooding, with ocean levels expected to exceed the highest astronomical tide. High winds and waves have forced closures of pedestrian walkways and trails, including those near Dallas Road in Victoria. Power outages, affecting over 6,000 B.C. Hydro customers on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, have compounded the challenges.

School closures in the Sooke School District highlight the severity of power outages, with more than 16,000 initially affected. In the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast, over 2,000 additional customers face disruptions, mainly in the Fraser Valley.

B.C. Ferries took precautionary measures, cancelling sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay due to anticipated high winds and waves. The snowfall, particularly on the Coquihalla Highway, coupled with avalanche warnings in southwestern B.C. and the southeast Rocky Mountains, amplifies travel difficulties and risks.

As the province grapples with this winter onslaught, residents are urged to exercise caution and stay informed about evolving weather conditions.

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