Environment Canada says a "waterspout" warning is in effect off B.C.'s coast.
The "waterspout" watch was issued Wednesday (Aug. 21) for the Strait of Georgia, the west coast of Vancouver Island and further off the coast of the Island.
The watch says a trough of low pressure is tracking across Vancouver Island, and "conditions remain favourable for the potential development of waterspouts." It adds wind speeds inside of the spray ring are 45 knots or highers.
Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said waterspouts happen every year, but mostly in the spring or fall.
“That’s when there’s enough movement and dynamics in the atmosphere and the water is relatively warm, but the atmosphere is relatively cool. You kind of need that warm-cold setup so that there’s a lot of instability.”
Environment Canada has been tracking waterspouts from 1999 through to 2023, and there is an average of about five per year, he said.
“It’s not to say there’s not more. Of course, there could be some overnight and nobody’s recording them … but the ones that are reported, that’s the average we see.”
Castellan said he hadn't heard any sightings of waterspouts as of Wednesday afternoon, but the reports could come in later.
He said Environment Canada will put out watches, and most of the time, waterspouts won't occur.
“When the ingredients are there, it’s better to have the cautionary approach because waterspouts can and have affected mariners in the past.”
Environment Canada is urging boaters and other mariners to take all necessary precautions and prepare for possible waterspout activity. Vulnerable vessels could be at risk of damage or capsizing.
“Most of the time they’re beautiful and they kind of out there and they don’t harm anybody, but it is also important to consider – especially if they can get close to your vessel – they can be a big nightmare.”
Recently, off the coast of Italy, a storm and subsequent waterspout sank a luxury yacht. Global Affairs Canada confirmed a Canadian was killed.
