Wind Warning in effect for North Coast

A strong northeasterly outflow is going to make its presence felt on the North Coast as the morning moves forward, with winds of up to 90 km/h expected ahead of an approaching low pressure  system.

It's anticipated that the winds will begin to ease off in the region by this afternoon.

(Update: As part of a 9 PM update, environment Canada noted that the areas currently seeing the winds will be dealing with them until Thursday morning.)

The Wind Warning for the North Coast was issued earlier this morning by Environment Canada

The approaching system will provide for a change from snow to rain for the region over the next four days, with late morning and early afternoon today making for the transition period.

Extended forecast for Prince Rupert click to enlarge

For those travelling eastbound along Highway 16 and the feeder routes of the Northwest, the forecast is for snow, you can track any changes in Highway conditions from the Drive BC website and twitter feed, as well as through our listing of Highway cameras around the Northwest.

Road Conditions in Terrace just before 9:30 this morning

For a look at past weather events for the region see our archive page here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Wind Warning in effect for North Coast - Coastal Sections

The cold temperatures currently being felt in Prince Rupert are going to seem even  a little bit colder as the day moves forward, with Environment Canada issuing a WIND WARNING for the North Coast.

The source of the shift in the winds is a Strong Arctic ridge of high pressure which is providing for outflow winds of 80 to 100 km/h through the day, with conditions expected to continue tonight before the winds abate on Friday afternoon.

Temperatures through the day will hover near the -1 mark, with an overnight low expected to be around -5.

The cold snap will be short lived with precipitation and warmer temperatures on the way for the weekend, though there is a chance of some snow and freezing rain on Friday afternoon as we transit from the cold front of the North to the moist pacific front.

A Clear and Cold Thursday will give way to warmer and wetter conditions
by the weekend as a Pacific front arrives on the North Coast

The rain and warmer temperatures are expected to remain with us into the next week.

For updates on the Wind Warning and other Weather notes see the Environment Canada Website.

More notes related to weather issues of the Northwest can be found on our archive page.

Wind Warning Issued for North Coast overnight

Another Pacific front is making its way towards the North Coast

Update: Wind Warning has ended

Another intense low pressure system is making its way to the North coast this evening and as it charts its course Environment Canada is issuing a Wind Warning for the North and Central Coasts.

Ahead of the arrival of the pacific system Strong Southeast Winds at 90 km and gusting to 110 will develop over Haida Gwaii, those winds will spread to the exposed areas of the north coast overnight, diminishing to 50km/h from the Southwest by Friday morning.

Rain and wind continues into Friday afternoon, with further precipitation and even the possibility of Snow anticipated for Saturday evening and Sunday.

The full forecast for the upcoming weekend can be reviewed from the Environment Canada website.

The weather system is also delivering a Storm Warning for the Hecate Strait with winds increasing to 60 knots overnight with sea levels building to 6 to 8 metres by midnight.

BC Ferries Schedule disruption

With the weather, BC Ferries has also had to adjust its schedule for Friday, with the Northern Expedition holding in port at Skidegate, which will effect the scheduled departure out of Prince Rupert.

You can get an update on the status of the Ferry service from the BC Ferries website

Wind Warning issued for North Coast, Cold temperatures on the way for inland regions

Warning Extended into Saturday night for North Coast.

The overnight period on the North Coast and points inland may be a rather windy affair for the next 24 hours, with Environment Canada issuing a Wind Warning for the region on Friday morning.

The Wind warning advises of increasing northeast outflow winds reaching up to 100 km/h tonight through mainland inlets. The wind will pick up during the overnight period and carry through into Saturday morning.

With the winds will come a strong Arctic ridge of high pressure and considerably colder temperatures, North Coast coastal lows will reach -8 over the next few nights.

While advisories are in place outlining that the temperatures could drop as low as to -25 in inland areas overnight and into Saturday, mainly in the Smithers area and points east.

You Can review the details of the Wind Warning here.

The Weather forecast for Prince Rupert can be found here, while the Terrace forecast with its dropping temperatures can be found here.

The really cold forecast for Smithers can be reviewed here.