Residents of British Columbia’s south coast are bracing for a storm to roll into the coast on Christmas Day.
Rainfall warnings have been issued for Metro Vancouver and Howe Sound with rain expected to begin around noon on December 25.
During the afternoon of Christmas Day, the weather system will bring heavy rain. On higher terrain, above 300 meters in elevation, a brief period of wet snow can lead to slippery conditions, Environment Canada said.
Wind warnings have also been issued for these regions, including the Sunshine Coast and eastern Vancouver Island.
Mark Madryga, a global meteorologist in British Columbia, said very strong winds and rain were expected to hit the region.
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In Metro Vancouver, southeast winds will likely gust to 80 km/h, particularly near the Strait of Georgia, late in the morning and into the afternoon and evening, Madryga added.
Early on Boxing Day, a low pressure system will approach southern Vancouver Island, but Madryga said there is still some uncertainty about its path.
Current forecasts suggest the storm will cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Madryga added, and as a result the strongest winds and heavy precipitation will likely be limited to the southern coast of British Columbia.
The low pressure center that brought strong winds to the South Coast Monday evening moved north to the Central Coast Tuesday morning and will move toward northern British Columbia Tuesday afternoon.
Winds will gradually decrease throughout the morning.
Below is a look at peak wind gusts at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
A look at maximum wind gusts on the south coast of British Columbia at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Global SkyTracker
BC Ferries is also warning of cancellations due to the expected storm, with more cancellations possible.
All sailings between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Duke Point (Nanaimo) are canceled for December 25.
10:15 a.m. departure from Tsawwassen
12:45 p.m. departure from Duke Point
3:15 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen
5:45 p.m. departure from Duke Point
The following sailings between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) are canceled for December 25.
Cruise cancellations, Wednesday December 25:
11:00 a.m. departure from Tsawwassen
11:00 a.m. departure from Swartz Bay
1:00 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen
1:00 p.m. departure from Swartz Bay
3:00 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen
3:00 p.m. departure from Swartz Bay
5:00 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen
5:00 p.m. departure from Swartz Bay
Cruises with risk of cancellation:
7:00 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen
7:00 p.m. departure from Swartz Bay
9:00 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen
9:00 p.m. departure from Swartz Bay
Furthermore, the the Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) – Langdale (Sunshine Coast) crossing schedule has been revised for December 25.
Crossings between Little River (Comox) and Powell River (Westview) were canceled.
If anyone has a reservation on one of these affected sailings, the BC Ferries Customer Service Center is contacting you with the changed departure time.
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