Wind warnings issued for south Cariboo and Chilcotin with gusts up to 100 km/h

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for parts of British Columbia's interior, forecasting gusts up to 100 kilometres per hour on Wednesday, Nov. 11. A yellow wind warning is in effect for Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and along Highway 97 from Clinton via Begbie Summit. The agency said winds gusting up to 90 km/h are expected in these areas. An orange wind warning is also in effect for the Chilcotin region south of Highway 20, including Tatlayoko Lake, Big Creek and Dog Creek, where gusts could reach 100 km/h or more.

The warnings were issued at 10:58 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and carry a moderate impact level with high forecast confidence. Environment Canada said winds are expected to strengthen overnight into Wednesday morning, with gusts reaching 70 km/h before increasing to as high as 90 km/h in the south Cariboo by Wednesday afternoon. The winds are forecast to ease Wednesday evening.

For the Chilcotin area under the orange warning, the strongest gusts of 100 km/h or more are expected Wednesday afternoon. Environment Canada said utility outages are likely, driving conditions will be very difficult and there is a risk of injury from flying or falling debris. The agency warns that local power outages are possible across the warned regions and that strong winds could push high-sided vehicles around on the roads. Residents are advised to secure loose outdoor objects, stay away from fallen power lines and prepare for possible disruptions to transportation, services and utilities. The agency urges people to continue monitoring alerts and forecasts as conditions develop. Your Space Hamilton reported last week that the Thompson-Nicola Regional District had warned of landslide and flood risks in the wildfire-scarred South Cariboo due to heavy rain and wind.

The warnings come as the region recovers from recent severe weather. A photo caption from The Spec described a fallen tree in Prince George following windstorms that caused widespread power outages across B.C. The current forecast suggests the incoming system could bring similar hazards. Environment Canada's alert system categorizes the warnings by colour to indicate severity, with orange representing a higher level of hazard than yellow. The specific impacts outlined for the orange warning area include a high likelihood of utility outages and very difficult driving conditions. The agency's standard advice for such events includes securing anything that might be blown around or torn loose and avoiding travel if possible. Motorists, particularly those in high-profile vehicles like transport trucks and RVs, are cautioned to be especially vigilant. The combination of strong crosswinds and potentially wet roads could create dangerous situations on highways throughout the interior. Residents should have emergency kits ready in case of prolonged power outages.

With files from KelownaNow and The Spec