BC Ferries preemptively cancels sailings due to weather bomb winds

A weather bomb making its way to B.C.’s South Coast Tuesday has forced BC Ferries to preemptively cancel some sailings between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast.

The ferry service says that to ensure the safety of its customers and crews, sailings have been cancelled from this afternoon onwards “as a result of Environment Canada’s deteriorating weather forecast for high winds in the Strait of Georgia.”

Sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay, Tsawwassen and Duke Point, and Horseshoe Bay and Langdale have been cancelled.

1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss explains that the storm is set to bring winds to the west side of the Island, but will also bring wind bands up the east side of the Island, wrapping around the Island, and funneling through the Juan de Fuca Strait, the Strait of Georgia and up to the Sunshine Coast.

“That’s good news for the Lower Mainland, not as great for Vancouver Island,” he shared. “The outer areas will see the strongest breezes, that’s why the Lower Mainland is not in the wind warning, just a special weather statement for wind.”

“The wind will still potentially gust over 70 kilometres per hour around the Lower Mainland,” he added. “Those winds easterly this evening through the overnight and for tomorrow morning, before backing off into tomorrow afternoon.”

BC Ferries says cancellations will be felt from 5 p.m. onwards.

“If you have a booking on one of these cancelled sailings, you will hear from our Customer Service Centre to let you know if we can fit you on an alternate sailing, or if your booking must be cancelled. In the case of a cancellation, we will refund your fees and/or fares. Click here for more information about bookings on cancelled sailings,” BC Ferries said.

“We know you have important places to be and continue to monitor the weather conditions with the goal of getting you underway as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement, covering much of Metro Vancouver, Whistler, and inland sections of the north and central coasts. ECCC has issued a wind warning for most other parts of coastal B.C.

“Coastal areas will see southeasterly winds increase through the afternoon today, with peak wind speeds expected for most areas on tonight. Strong winds are likely to continue on Wednesday morning but should ease later in the day. Very strong outflow winds can also be expected through mainland inlets and valleys,” the special weather statement explained.