B.C. Ferries cancels some Christmas Day sailings with storm set to strike coast

Multiple major B.C. Ferries sailings have been cancelled for Christmas Day due to an incoming storm.

The second of a series of powerful storms this week is expected to bring more strong winds and heavy rain to the South Coast of B.C. on Christmas morning.

As a result, B.C. Ferries cancelled all sailings between Duke Point and Tsawwassen for Wednesday, as well as several Christmas Day sailings on the other major routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. 

Multiple other trips to and from the smaller islands and across inlets on the South Coast were also cancelled or put at risk of cancellation. 

For the most current information on coastal ferry disruptions, visit the B.C. Ferries service notices page.

The cancellations come as Environment Canada warns of heavy winds set to strike coastal B.C. Sections of Metro Vancouver near the water, as well as Greater Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands, East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast could see winds reach 100 km/h.

The weather agency is also warning of particularly heavy rain for all of Metro Vancouver and Squamish. Of note is the forecast for the North Shore, northern Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, where residents can expect up to 100 millimetres of rain.

Several other wind and rain warnings are also in effect for the province, and can be viewed on the Environment Canada storm information page.

Boxing Day storm

The third weather event expected to hit this week is a low-pressure system that Environment Canada says will approach southern Vancouver Island early Thursday, although there's uncertainty about its path.

The agency says an anticipated southern track would confine the strongest winds and heavy rain to the South Coast.