BC Ferries cancels sailing due to 'severe weather' as winter chill hits

A cold front moving into B.C. is threatening snow and bringing high winds, canceling one ferry and leaving others holding at docks.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement warning that snow is on the way for Metro Vancouver, and a bite in the air is driving that home.

A cool air mass moving onto the south coast of B.C. is bringing gusty winds, forcing B.C. Ferries to cancel the Queen of New Westminster's 11:10 a.m. PT run between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in Nanaimo B.C.

Another ferry in Vesuvius is reported to be held at the dock due to "adverse weather."

Some complained on social media that they are stuck waiting at Swartz Bay "indefinitely" until a ferry can sail.

Environment Canada is forecasting showers or flurries Sunday night and Monday morning, with temperatures near freezing.

Temperatures are expected drop further on Tuesday — the forecast calls for five to 10 degrees below normal with overnight lows hitting zero to minus five.

The same system is expected to bring even more snow by Thursday.

As the Lower Mainland braces for a bit of cold, the interior is already freezing, with the Peace River district enduring gusts that feel like minus 29 degrees with the wind chill factor.

A snowfall as deep as 25 centimetres is expected for the Coquihalla Highway that runs between Hope and Merritt, B.C. Drivers are being warned to prepare for winter conditions, with winter tires and chains.