Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Greater Victoria, with strong gusts expected to sweep the region on Thursday evening, as well as a special weather statement for the Southern Gulf Islands.
The weather office says strong southwesterly winds are expected to blow at about 50 km/h on Thursday afternoon, before increasing to 90 km/h in the early evening.
“Winds will gradually ease late this evening,” said Environment Canada in its notice posted just before 5:45 a.m.
The weather office notes that some power outages and property damage may occur.
“Parks and forests will likely sustain some damage,” said Environment Canada.
The wind warning is considered a “yellow alert,” which is the least severe of Environment Canada’s new colour coded system, with orange and red alerts being more dangerous.
For a yellow alert, impacts from weather are expected to be moderate, localized, and short term.
Around 9 a.m., Environment Canada also issued a special weather statement related to wind for the nearby Southern Gulf Islands, as well as Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
A special weather statement is less severe than a weather warning, and are described as conditions that are “unusual, inconvenient, or are cause for potential concern,” according to Environment Canada.
“An approaching low pressure centre will track across the south coast this afternoon. Strong southeasterly winds with gusts near 80 km/h expected ahead of the system during the day for places near Strait of Georgia,” reads the special weather statement.
“In its wake, strong southwesterly winds 50 km/h gusting to 80 will develop late this afternoon through early this evening.
Weather alerts are pictured in B.C. at approximately 9 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2025. (Environment Canada)
Thursday’s wind alert comes after a week of stormy weather on Vancouver Island.
Strong winds and heavy rain caused a mudslide near Port Alberni on Monday, and another major rain event on Tuesday kept Greater Victoria municipal crews working overnight to manage flooding, respond to downed trees, and assist with power outages.
The stormy weather also caused temporary trail closures on sections of the Galloping Goose Trail and Lochside Trail.
The latest updates on Thursday’s wind warning can be found on the Environment Canada website.
READ & WATCH: South Island crews work overnight responding to service calls in heavy rain
