Batten down the hatches, New West — the wind is coming.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, including New Westminster and Burnaby, warning of the first windstorm of autumn.
Strong winds are expected anytime today, from this morning to tonight, as a Pacific weather system moves in, bringing high winds and rain. Southeast winds of 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, are expected to continue through Tuesday; for regions near the water, winds of 50 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h, are expected from this morning through to this evening.
"This is the first windstorm of this autumn with full foliage," Environment Canada notes. "The heavy tree branches are more prone to break in strong winds, and it may lead to more damage and power outage than subsequent wind storms of similar wind speeds later in the season."
Loose objects may also be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage, the statement warns.
The Weatherhood local forecast for New Westminster is calling for cool and wet weather for most of the week, with a high of just 16 C today and rain predicted through the day. Tuesday calls for a high of 15 C and more rain, particularly into the evening hours, while Wednesday calls for a wet morning and a high of 13 C.
Stay tuned to Weatherhood local for your up-to-date New Westminster weather.
