Forecasted stormy conditions could potentially see a vast majority of Christmas Day sailings cancelled between Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

travel issues

Wind warning issued for Nanaimo as BC Ferries starts cancelling Christmas Day sailings

Dec 24, 2024 | 11:10 AM

NANAIMO — A wet, windy and stormy Christmas Day is in store, causing potential headaches for any last-minute travellers.

Environment Canada issued a widespread wind warning for most of coastal Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, on Tuesday, Dec. 24, advising of wind gusts up to 70 to 90 kilometres per hour for parts of central Vancouver Island on Christmas Day.

Areas to the north and south can expect slightly higher gusts, while winds are expected to be somewhat less inland.

“A weather system arriving on Christmas Day will bring widespread, very strong southeast winds to the inner South Coast. These very strong southeast winds will be widespread over the South Coast and persist for a long duration,” the warning noted, also saying winds would ease Christmas night.

Travel disruptions are a distinct possibility as a result.

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Wind warning issued for Nanaimo as BC Ferries starts cancelling Christmas Day sailings

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BC Ferries have warned travellers many of its sailings between Nanaimo’s Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay are either cancelled, or at risk of cancellation on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Sailings leaving Nanaimo at 10:40 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:20 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. are cancelled, while the 8:45 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. are potentially on the chopping block “as a result of Environment Canada’s severe weather forecast for high winds and waves in the Strait of Georgia and North Vancouver Island.”

Corresponding departures from the Lower Mainland are also affected.

As of Tuesday morning, the 8:25 a.m. departures from both Departure and Horseshoe Bays are still scheduled to sail.

The 12:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. sailings between Duke Point and Tsawwassen on Wednesday are cancelled, with others at risk of cancellation.

Travellers are advised to visit the BC Ferries website if they are planning to take a trip on Christmas Day.

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