Update: Parts of eastern Vancouver Island, including Greater Victoria, experienced a storm with loud claps of thunder and lightning and rain early Sunday. No major damage has been reported.
High winds were the likely cause of many of the power outages.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Hydro reported power outages overnight in Central Saanich, Highlands, Duncan, North Cowichan, Chemainus, Campbell River and Mayne Island related to the storm, mostly caused by trees coming down on transmission lines. There were also power outage reports in small pockets of Saanich and Victoria. Power was largely restored by midday Sunday, according to ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Hydro's outage list.
The Victoria airport weather station recorded wind gusts up to 42 km/h around midnight, but it was 4 km/h at the University of Victoria, 15 km/h at Victoria Harbour, and 14 km/h at Gonzales Point. Campbell River recorded gusts up to 57 km/h around 2 a.m.
In Metro Vancouver, the storm caused widespread power outages and downed trees, the Vancouver Sun reported.
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Storms with a chance of frequent lightning are in the forecast for a large swath of Vancouver Island residents starting late Saturday or early Sunday.
Environment ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ has issued a special weather statement warning of strong winds and thunderstorms with heavy downpours.
A strong southerly wind will come first, followed by periods of rain, lightning.
The forecast is in effect for the capital region, East Vancouver Island from Campbell River to Duncan as well as the Southern Gulf Islands.
Environment ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ warned of localized power outages caused by falling tree branches and reduced visibility for motorists on the road.
The storms are being caused by a weather front moving up from the Oregon and Washington coast that’s expected to cross into ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ by Saturday evening, the weather agency said.
