Incoming storm expected to hit southwestern B.C. with gusts up to 110 km/h

Environment Canadasays a newfall storm will bring winds gusting up to 110 km/h to southwestern British Columbia onFriday, potentially causing more outages and travel disruption.

The forecaster has issued wind warnings or special weather statements across Vancouver Island and coastal B.C., sayinga low pressure system deepening off the Washington coast is moving northwards.

The west coast of Vancouver Island is expected to see the strongest southeasterly winds, whilecoastal areas of the mainlandwill see gusts of up to 90 km/h.More sustained outflow winds of 70-90 km/h are forecast for the valleys and inlets of the north and central coasts.

Winds are expected to peak Friday afternoon and evening, before easing overnight or early Saturday.

WATCH | New storm hitting Vancouver Island:

Another storm underway in southwestern B.C. with gusts up to 110 km/h forecast

3 hours ago

Duration 5:41

New wind warnings and special weather statements have been issued across Vancouver Island and coastal B.C., bringing the risk of more power outages and travel disruption, CBC News climate and science specialist Darius Mahdavi tells BC Today host Michelle Eliot. Winds are expected to peak through Friday afternoon and evening.

Environment Canada said it does not expect Friday's storm to be as intense as the one that downed trees and power linesTuesday into Wednesday, causing power outages for about 300,000 properties.

Still, it expectshigh winds may bring down more trees,cause further outagesand slow down work to restore powerfor the thousands who remain without it.

As of 6:30 a.m. PT, B.C. Hydrowas reporting outages for about 10,000 customers on Vancouver Island. The utility estimates some customersat the end of long and heavily damaged linescould be without power until Saturday evening.

"On Vancouver Island, all available crews, including additional crews brought over from the Lower Mainland, have been working around-the-clock since Tuesday to restore customers," B.C. Hydro said in an update.

Snowfall warnings

Environment Canada has also issued snowfall warnings for several parts of B.C., including the Chilcotin, South Peace and Elk Valley regions, as well as southern highway passes.

It said moisture is expected to reach the Chilcotinregion and run into cold air coming from the northeast, causing up to10 centimetres of snowfall.

The South Peace is expected to get up to 15 centimetres into Saturday morning, while an extended period of snowfall in the southeast is expected to dump another 30 centimetres of snow in the Elk Valley area from Friday to Sunday.

The summit of the Coquihalla Highway will see about 15 centimetres of snow on Friday, while Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass could get up to 40 centimetres by Sunday.