Strong winds cancel Hullo, BC Ferries sailings
Posted September 25, 2023 10:58 am.
Last Updated September 25, 2023 9:20 pm.
If you’re planning to travel between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island by ferry on Monday, you might want to check your sailing status.
B.C.’s ferry providers have been forced to cancel sailings due to high winds that are battering the South Coast.
#ServiceNotice
Due to adverse weather conditions, the following #QofNewWestminster sailings have been cxd’l today:8:00am/12:00pm ex #Tsawwassen
10:00am/2:00pm ex #SwartzBayOther sailings on this route are expected to proceed as scheduled.
More: https://t.co/hSbt3xlztl ^be
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) September 25, 2023
BC Ferries has cancelled four sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay being serviced by the Queen of New Westminster — a smaller vessel among its fleet.
The 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. from Tsawwassen and the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Swartz Bay will not run.
Service update: Due to gale force winds, our 10am (Nan to Van) and 12pm (Van to Nan) sailings are cancelled.
— Hullo Ferries (@hulloferries) September 25, 2023
Meanwhile, Hullo, the private ferry service between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, has cancelled its 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. sailings due to what it’s calling “gale force winds.”
A special weather statement is in effect for much of Metro Vancouver, while East Vancouver Island is also under a wind warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says the heaviest winds will be out over the Strait of Georgia and on the east side of Vancouver Island, where gusts could touch 90 km/h.
Powerful storm west of Vancouver Island bringing rain and wind to the coast. Winds easing late today but it’ll stay overcast with on and off wet weather through Thursday. #Fall #GettingGreenAgain @CityNewsVAN @jack969 pic.twitter.com/vcjeKEovBA
— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) September 25, 2023
Kuss is also expecting 10 to 25 mm of rain for the Lower Mainland on Monday, with a risk of afternoon and evening storms.
“The low-pressure system bringing the rain and wind is being referred to as a ‘bomb cyclone.’ All low-pressure systems in the northern hemisphere are cyclones. The ‘bomb’ part refers to the rapid intensification of the low pressure,” he explained.
ECCC is also warning of possible power outages and damage from the expected winds.
“This is the first wind storm of this autumn with full foliage. The heavy tree branches are more prone to break in strong winds and it may lead to more damage and power outage than subsequent wind storms of similar wind speeds later in the season,” the weather service said.
Listen live to CityNews 1130 every 10 minutes on the ones for traffic and ferry updates. You can also follow us on X @CityNewsTraffic and subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
