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By Victor Kaisar

Batten Down the Hatches

Upcoming wind gusts lead to warnings in Fraser Canyon; special weather statements across southern B.C.

Mar 6, 2026 | 5:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for a large portion of the Southern Interior, including the City of Kamloops and the entire Coquihalla Highway, because of strong winds that are expected this weekend.

The weather alert covers the South Thompson, Shuswap and the Nicola-Similkameen as well as the Okanagan and parts of the Kootenays and the Fraser Valley. It also covers the Okanagan Connector as well as Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton via the Allison Pass and from the Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

“A cold front associated with a strong low pressure system passing through northern British Columbia on Saturday will sweep across the Southern Interior from Saturday evening (March 7) through Sunday,” the weather agency said.

“Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will develop Saturday evening across the Thompson and Shuswap regions, then spread southward as the cold front moves through the province. Gusty winds will continue until the system exits Sunday evening.”

A yellow-level wind warning has also been issued for the Fraser Canyon as well as the Cariboo-Chilcotin and parts of northern B.C.

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“Strong winds will develop [in the Fraser Canyon] tonight, with gusts of 70 to 80 km/h expected into Saturday morning,” Environment Canada said. “Winds will further intensify Saturday evening and overnight, with gusts possibly exceeding 90 km/h.”

“These strong winds will ease Sunday morning.”

Environment Canada says local power outages are possible, and they’re urging people to sure all loose objects. High-sided vehicles like semis will also be pushed around by the wind, and people are also being told to watch for possible disruptions to transportation and services and utilities.

You can find the latest weather alerts from Environment Canada here and the latest on highway conditions from DriveBC here.