Boaters and people on the beach in Vancouver should keep their eyes open for rare waterspout activity in the Salish Sea.
Environment Canada currently has a waterspout watch in effect for the south coast of B.C.
"For those people that are on the water it is interesting to see we have a waterspout watch on the north and south Strait of Georgia," meteorologist Armell Castellan tells V.I.A.
Winds on the water will be around 5 knots, growing to 20 knots by Wednesday, Aug. 21, according to the watch. The watch covers Salish Sea between the southern Gulf Islands and Campbell River, and between Nanaimo and Vancouver.
"An upper low lingering to the west of Vancouver Island may lead to favourable conditions for the formation of waterspouts," reads the watch.
Anyone out on the water is being advised to postpone voyages if possible.
"Wind speeds inside the spray ring of a waterspout are 45 knots or higher. Vulnerable vessels are at risk of damage or capsizing," reads the watch notice. "Mariners are urged to take all necessary precautions and prepare for the possibility of waterspout activity."
Castellan notes the watch isn't suggesting larger vessels like the mega-yacht in Italy that just sank are in danger but notes it is a caution for smaller vessels, especially with winds creating choppy seas.
"It's not saying we're going to see 56-metre boats get sunk, but it's interesting for mariners," he notes.
While uncommon in B.C.'s seas, waterspouts have been spotted in the region before, like in 2021.
