Gas prices have spiked in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria, and experts say the high prices may persist for weeks.

Dan McTeague with the price-tracking website, Gasbuddy.com, said the price increases are due to supply issues stemming from a maintenance shutdown at a Washington state refinery.

McTeague said the Phillips 66 refinery in Ferndale, Wash. is shuttered, and another refinery, BP's Cherry Point, is expected to close Monday for the same reason.

As a result, the steep gas prices will stay a while.

"I don't see it coming down again for the next couple of weeks," said McTeague.

On Saturday, prices at Vancouver gas stations were above $1.40 a litre, while in Victoria they topped $1.31 per litre.

"It's not a pretty situation at all," he said. "You're looking at substantially higher gas prices."

McTeague said consumers may be hit with another hike after mid-April, when refineries switch to summer gasoline blends, which are pricier.