PHOTOS: Winds bring major power outages in B.C. amid disruptive storm

Forecast Centre
·17 min read

Waking up in the dark with no electricity was not the start to the weekend thousands of B.C. residents were hoping for, but that's what they got.

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Early on Saturday morning, a strong cold front swept across the South Coast, causing power outages for well in excess of 100,000 BC Hydro customers.

As of early Saturday morning, more than 130,000 customers are without power on the South Coast, according to BC Hydro. While the numbers have decreased, they may continue to fluctuate during the day.

update
update

CBC News also reported that nearly 20 ferry sailings between the mainland and Vancouver Island were cancelled Friday evening as a result.

Although it was not a deep low-pressure system, the strong, southerly winds ahead of the trailing cold front peaked in the waters of Georgia Strait and up Howe Sound, with wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h.

Vancouver International Airport recorded a wind gust of 72 km/h, which was the strongest since last November when a gust of 94 km/h occurred on Nov. 4.

wind
wind

Residents are also urged to brace for travel disruptions, particularly along the highway passes that are expecting heavy snow, and more ferry cancellations. Drivers should expect slower-than-usual commutes and are urged to plan ahead for rapidly changing conditions.

In addition to the winds, soaking rains are expected for the coast. Rainfall rates will approach 10 mm per hour across western Vancouver Island. Rainfall totals will stack up, up to 100 mm for Tofino and 20-60 mm to the Lower Mainland through the event.

A dip in freezing levels below 1200 metres will also bring the opportunity for significant snowfall along the coastal mountains. Folks throughout the coastal alpine regions could see more than 50 cm of snow through Saturday, which will serve as a tremendous boon for ski resorts and winter sports fans looking to get out this weekend.

BCTravelDelays
BCTravelDelays

However, the glut of snow will make for difficult travel along the highway passes. Pack extra supplies and prepare for slow going if you have to travel through the region.

The intensity of the system will diminish through Saturday, but another storm arriving soon after on Sunday will mark the return of active weather.

It didn't take long for visuals of the storm's impacts to appear on social media. Below is a selection of visuals currently making the rounds.

Thumbnail courtesy of Ryan Voutilainen/X.

Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest on conditions across B.C.

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