Updated: Stormy weather cancels ferries, flight and creates trouble on the roads

Cindy Harnett / Times Colonist
December 19, 2012

The Malahat this morning on a B.C. Highway Cam.

Severe weather has cancelled several flights and B.C. Ferries sailings off the Island this morning.
The 9 a.m. Spirit of British Columbia departing Swartz Bay is just one of dozens of sailings cancelled this morning on the recommendation of Environment Canada. The list of cancellations on B.C. Ferries website is long, capturing ships on almost every route from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen to the Queen Charlotte Islands.
A wind warning was issued Tuesday calling for strong southerly winds on east Vancouver Island, which later encompassed the south Island as well.
At 8:30 a.m. today that wind warning from Environment Canada remains in effect for the capital region. The region can expect continued wintry weather conditions with wind, rain and snow. A snowfall and wind warning is in effect for Nanaimo and a snowfall warning is in effect for Port Alberni.
Harbour Air and Helijet also cancelled early morning flights to and from the Island.
The 9 a.m. Air Canada flight from Victoria to Vancouver shows it is delayed but is expected to be cancelled because it is snowing heavily at Vancouver International Airport.
According to Drive B.C., just before 6 a.m. today there was: compact snow from Ucluelet Junction to Sutton Pass Summit; limited visibility with blowing snow from Mount Washington to the junction of Highway 19; heavy snowfall from Shawnigan Lake Road, north of Langford to the exit to Bamberton and south of Mill Bay; compact snow 25 kilometres north of Courtenay to Campbell River; and compact snow with slushy sections from the Departure Bay B.C. Ferries terminal in Nanaimo, to Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.
“Stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary,” Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien said this morning. “If you have to venture out, be prepared, which means having winter tires, a shovel, gloves, charged cellphone and warm clothing.”
RCMP in Nanaimo and Port Alberni, where snow was falling this morning, say “surprisingly” there are no vehicle crashes to report.
West Shore RCMP could not be reached for comment. Snow was falling on the Malahat this morning with several vehicles, unprepared for the snow and icy conditions at high elevations, pulled over to the side of the road
ceharnett@timescolonist.com

More to come.
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For updates, check these websites:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
http://www.harbour-air.com/index.php
http://www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotices