Wind warnings for western N.L., gusts up to 130 km/h

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for western Newfoundland, with southeasterly gusts near 130 km/h expected in the Wreckhouse area near Channel-Port aux Basques on Sunday.

The warning for Channel-Port aux Basques and vicinity says a period of strong southeasterly winds will begin overnight tonight and last until Sunday evening. Gusts are forecast to reach 100 km/h overnight before increasing to near 130 km/h during much of the day Sunday. “High-sided vehicles will be pushed around by the wind,” the weather office said, adding that disruptions to services and travel are possible.

A second warning covers Corner Brook and vicinity, Gros Morne, Bay St. George, Parson’s Pond to Hawke’s Bay, and Port Saunders and the Straits. Gusts there are forecast at 80 km/h, but up to 120 km/h in areas prone to enhanced southeasterly flow, from Sunday afternoon through the night. Environment Canada named the vicinities of Cape St. George, Port au Port Bay, the outer Bay of Islands, Trout River Bay, Bonne Bay and St. John Bay as places where local winds are typically stronger.

Local utility outages are possible, and Environment Canada asked residents to secure loose objects around their property. Drivers on exposed highways should expect gusts to push high-sided vehicles.

The same storm system is also bringing damaging winds across the Cabot Strait. A warning for Inverness County in Cape Breton, from Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence, calls for southeasterly gusts up to 90 km/h tonight until Sunday morning. Heavy rain is also forecast for parts of the Maritimes, which we covered in Rainfall warning for Halifax, 50 to 80 mm by Sunday.

It is the latest in a run of autumn wind events for the province. We reported on earlier warnings in Gusts to 80 km/h along coast near St. John’s tonight and Josephine brings wind warnings to Avalon, south coast. For ways to prepare, see our winter storm prep checklist.

Residents can report severe weather to [email protected] or on social media with #NLwx. Current alerts are posted on the Environment Canada website.

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