Tough day for mariners on the northern BC coast!
What does all that red color mean? Since we’re not in the recreational boating season, it means average or mean wind speeds (not just gusts!) greater than or equal to 34 knots!
From the FAQ of Environment Canada:
Synoptic warnings include the following four categories of winds and freezing spray:
- Strong wind: Wind speed of 20 to 33 knots inclusive. Strong wind warnings are only issued for coastal or inland waters during the recreational boating season.
- Gale-force wind: Wind speed of 34 to 47 knots inclusive.
- Storm-force wind: Wind speed of 48 to 63 knots inclusive.
- Hurricane-force wind: Wind speed of 64 knots or greater.
- Freezing spray: Ice build-up rate on marine infrastructure 0.7 centimetres per hour or faster.
Note that synoptic wind warnings apply to the mean wind only. Synoptic wind warnings are not issued for wind gusts that happen to reach warning criteria.