Strong winds up to 70 km/hr forecast for Metro Vancouver

Potent winds are expected to reach Metro Vancouver starting Sunday evening, according to Environment Canada.

The federal meteorological agency issued a special weather statement at 4 pm Saturday, calling for southeast winds of up to 70 km/hr for Metro Vancouver, Southern Gulf Islands, and the communities at the mouth of Howe Sound.

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The southeast winds will peak overnight on Sunday and early Monday morning. By mid Monday morning, the winds will veer sharply to the northwest, with speeds of 50 km/hr to 70 km/hr.

The winds will begin easing in the afternoon of Monday.

These conditions are the result of a strong cold front that will make its way through southwest BC over the next 48 hours.

Northern Vancouver Island is expected to see very strong southeast winds of nearly 80 km/hr on Sunday afternoon. The strong winds will reach Sunshine Coast and north of Qualicum Beach on eastern Vancouver Island just before midnight Sunday night.

Westerly winds are also forecast for the eastern entrance of Juan de Fuca Strait on Monday, which will affect Greater Victoria.