Vancouver may be in for a blustery night tonight, Feb. 24.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Vancouver, as well as Vancouver Island and neighbouring Metro communities, as a low pressure centre approaches the coast with gusts that could reach between 70 and 90 km/h.
The alert has prompted the city to open eight additional extreme weather shelters for local residents to escape the cold. The temperature is predicted to drop to around 5 C.
"If you are sleeping outside, please come to the safety of the shelters," the City of Vancouver stated in its weather alert.
"Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur," added Environment Canada in its warning, last updated at 10 a.m.
"Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. High winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches."
The southeasterly winds are anticipated to ease to between 30 and 50 km/h by early Tuesday as the system moves inland.
The following shelter spaces will remain open Monday night:
Directions Youth Services Centre
- 1138 Burrard St.
- Hours of operation: 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 10 individuals (ages 13-24, all genders served)
Aboriginal Front Door
- 390 Main St.
- Hours of operation: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Entrance at 205 East Hastings St.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 34 individuals (ages 19 and older; couples welcome)
The Salvation Army Belkin House
- 555 Homer St.
- Hours of operation: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 25 individuals (ages 19 and older)
- 18 men and seven (7) women
OPS Overnight EWR Shelter
- 141 E Hastings St.
- Hours of operation: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Access via front entrance
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 20 individuals (ages 19 and older)
Commercial-Hastings EWR
- 1726 E Hastings St.
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 7:15 a.m.
- Site entrance is through the front gate
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 15 individuals (ages 19 and older)
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House EWR Shelter
- 2425 Oxford St.
- Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- Site entrance is on the right side of the building (East facing)
- Dinner, breakfast, and snacks served.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 20 individuals (ages 19 and older)
Marpole Neighbourhood House EWR Shelter
- 8585 Hudson St.
- Hours of operation: 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Site entrance is through courtyard door (South facing)
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 30 individuals (ages 19 and older)
The Nest
- 320 Alexander St.
- Hours of operation: 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- Entrance at white gate. Ring buzzer for access.
- Will provide overnight accommodation to 20 individuals (ages 19 and older; transgender, gender diverse and two-spirit people only)
For more information, you can visit the City of Vancouver website.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
