Weather warnings lead to major Saturday ferry cancellations for B.C.'s South Coast

Environment Canada has issued multiple weather warnings throughout B.C. for the weekend, including along the South Coast, where B.C. Ferries preemptively cancelled numerous Saturday sailings. 

The warnings include advisories about high winds, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding near the water, as well as snowfall further inland.

As of Friday evening, B.C. Ferries had cancelled nearly all Saturday morning sailings on all routes between Vancouver Island and the mainland, citing the severe weather warnings. 

Sailings for later in the morning and early afternoon on those major routes were also at risk of cancellation, according to the ferry service. The most up-to-date information is available on the B.C. Ferries service notices page. Saturday morning sailings to and from many of the Southern Gulf Islands, Northern Gulf Islands, and on the Sunshine Coast were also either cancelled or at risk of cancellation. 

The cancellations are thanks in part to a low pressure system bringing strong winds to Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. 

Wind gusts from the southeast are forecasted to reach up to 100 kilometres per hour on Saturday, according to Environment Canada, and meteorologists are warning of possible power outages and damage to buildings.

People driving vehicles in the impacted areas should be prepared for difficult driving conditions, especially those in tall vans and trucks, which are at a higher risk from cross winds while in motion.

A rainfall warning has also been issued for East Vancouver Island from Courtenay to Campbell River, where Environment Canada said to expect 50 to 70 millimetres of rain, including heavy downpours and flash floods.

Those living in coastal areas around Greater Victoria and up Vancouver Island's west coast to the northern tip are being warned of possible flooding midday Saturday at high tide. 

High ocean water levels accompanied by strong winds and big waves could flood these coastal areas, meteorologists say. Environment Canada says the tide and waves are likely to exceed the highest of regular tides.

People should stay away from beaches and the ocean, even in inlet areas, warns the weather agency. Buildings in those areas, especially those that are low-lying, are at risk of flooding, it says.

Environment Canada is also warning of significant snowfall on inland mountain highways in both southern and northern B.C.

Specifically, it says to expect 15 to 20 centimeters of snow accumulating overnight Saturday on Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Further north, up to 15 centimetres is forecasted along Highway 97 between Williston and Pine Pass and the surrounding area.