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Power out in Squamish as Arctic winds roar

Almost 3,000 BCHydro customers out of power in parts of Squamish on Feb. 9
BCHydro power outages on Feb. 9
BCHydro power outages on Feb. 9

Nearly 3,000 BCHydro customers were out of power on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 9 as an Arctic wind whipped through the Sea to Sky Corridor for a second weekend.

The Brackendale area saw the most outages with 1,628 customers affected. Around 1,300 were affected by the storm in the Valleycliffe area.

Environment Canada issued an Arctic outflow warning with wind chill close to minus 20 degrees for six hours or more. A BC Highway warning for the drive between Squamish and Whistler was also posted for Saturday. 

“Any outdoor activity exposes you to an increased risk of frostbite. Be prepared for unusually cold temperatures and strong winds. Drive with care, especially along coastal routes exposed to outflow winds,” Environment Canada’s warning reads.

At the Squamish Airport, wind gusts were measured at 61 kilometres per hour, with a wind chill of minus 13 at 9 a.m. Winds could reach 90 kilometres per hour, but are expected to decrease to between 40 and 60 kilometres per hour by noon.

The District of Squamish has closed the Corridor Trail between Brennan Park Recreation Centre and the Adventure Centre. A downed hydro line also closed a Valleycliffe trail to the Forest Servicee Road, as the District warns residents to stay out of wooded areas in case of falling debris.

Weather for Sunday is predicted to be cloudy in the afternoon with a chance of flurries. Winds will continue with a wind chill or minus 19 earlier in the day. There will be a risk of frostbite. 

 

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