Washington State ferry riders are being urged to brace for significant weather-related disruptions on Wednesday, December 17, and Thursday, December 18, as a powerful windstorm sweeps across Western Washington.

Alerts circulated by Washington State Ferries and shared by local outlets warn that the Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes are expected to bear the brunt of the severe conditions, with delays, sailing cancellations and rough crossings likely across much of the network.

More News:

High Winds Put Key Ferry Corridors on Alert

Washington State Ferries has advised all passengers to be prepared for service disruptions as high winds associated with a strong Pacific storm system move through the region.

The message is especially pointed for riders on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes, where stronger northerly winds are forecast and seas are expected to be choppy.

In an advisory circulated this week, the agency indicated that those two northern routes are most likely to see the most severe impacts, including sailing delays, potential cancellations and adjustments in vessel loading patterns.

All routes, however, are expected to experience rougher-than-normal conditions, with passengers warned to anticipate bumpy rides and longer crossing times as captains slow vessels to navigate safely.

The heightened alert comes as the National Weather Service has issued High Wind Warnings and related advisories across large swaths of Western Washington, including the northern interior, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Port Townsend area.

Forecasts call for sustained winds in the 25 to 35 mile-per-hour range with gusts that could top 50 to 55 miles per hour in many locations, raising concerns about marine safety alongside broader risks to roads and power infrastructure.

Forecast: Gusts Above 50 Miles Per Hour and Rough Seas

Meteorologists say the current storm pattern is being driven by a powerful Pacific frontal system that has already delivered days of heavy rain to the region. As the low-pressure center moves inland, tight pressure gradients are generating strong south and southwest winds over Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and adjacent coastal waters.

High Wind Warnings from the National Weather Service extend across the northern Washington coast, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Island County, Skagit County lowlands and the Port Townsend area. In these zones, forecasters expect gusts of 50 to 55 miles per hour, and possibly higher in exposed headlands or along open-water passages.

Such winds can whip up steep, short-period waves that make docking and undocking ferries more difficult and increase the risk of collision with terminals or other vessels if conditions deteriorate.

On the Port Townsend/Coupeville run, which crosses the often wind-whipped Admiralty Inlet, even moderate gales can quickly translate into hazardous seas. The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, which threads through a series of channels and open reaches between islands, is similarly vulnerable when strong southerlies funnel through the straits.

Under those conditions, Washington State Ferries often reduces speed to maintain control and may decide to suspend service entirely for stretches of time if docking becomes unsafe.

Why Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville Are Most at Risk

The focus on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes reflects not only the latest wind forecasts but also the geography of the northern inland waters. Both routes sit in areas where strong south and southwest winds can align with long stretches of open water, allowing waves to build quickly and creating what mariners refer to as a longer fetch.

The Anacortes route serves multiple island communities, with sailings crossing Rosario Strait and other open channels that are highly exposed when storms march in from the Pacific. In past wind events, this route has seen extended delays and last-minute cancellations when conditions at terminals such as Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Orcas and Lopez became too rough for safe operations.

Port Townsend/Coupeville, connecting the Olympic Peninsula with Whidbey Island, is another corridor that reacts rapidly to high-wind events. The crossing traverses Admiralty Inlet, a constricted but deep and fast-moving tidal area that is prone to steep chop when strong winds oppose currents.

Even under routine high-wind advisories, this route can experience partial service suspensions, reduced capacity or heavy loading restrictions for high-profile vehicles such as trucks and recreational vehicles.

With strong winds forecast squarely over these northern routes, ferry officials have issued early warnings to give island residents, commuters and freight haulers as much lead time as possible to adjust travel plans or consider alternatives.

Compounding Strains on a System Already Under Pressure

The timing of the high-wind event compounds existing challenges for Washington State Ferries, which has been grappling with long-running vessel and crew shortages and, more recently, significant mechanical problems on key boats serving the San Juan Islands.

Earlier in December, the aging ferry Kaleetan suffered a major engine failure that has sidelined the vessel for weeks and forced the agency to curtail capacity on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands run while repairs are carried out in Anacortes.

That incident came as the route was already operating without one of its assigned vessels due to a separate mechanical issue, leaving just a portion of the usual fleet available and triggering emergency adjustments to the sailing schedule.

Vehicle reservations on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route have been restricted at times, with Washington State Ferries advising customers that even those with reservations may encounter delays as crews juggle limited space and high demand.

The new round of high winds now threatens to add weather-related disruptions on top of this existing strain. With fewer vessels available as backups, the system has less flexibility to move boats between routes when conditions improve, and any cancellation or extended delay on the Anacortes corridor has an outsized impact on island residents who depend on ferries for essential travel, freight deliveries and access to medical care.

Travelers Urged to Build Extra Time and Check for Updates

Ferry officials are urging passengers who must travel on December 17 or 18 to build generous buffers into their plans and assume that crossings may take longer than scheduled, even when sailings are able to operate.

Drivers are advised to arrive at terminals well ahead of time, be prepared for extended waits in holding lanes and pack essentials such as warm clothing, snacks and water in case they are stuck for longer than expected.

Washington State Ferries has indicated that, if necessary, vessels may be loaded to full vehicle capacity and operated at slower speeds in order to better stabilize the boats in rough seas. That operational adjustment can help reduce rolling and pitching but typically lengthens crossing times, which may ripple through the day’s schedule and lead to compounding delays as sailings run behind.

Riders are also being encouraged to use alternative travel days where possible, especially for nonessential trips, and to consider foot travel when feasible, since walk-on capacity may be less constrained than space for vehicles.

For island residents and those traveling for medical appointments or work, local officials recommend confirming critical bookings and, where possible, shifting to earlier sailings before the strongest winds are expected.

Broader Impacts Across Western Washington

The marine disruptions are part of a larger picture of severe weather impacts across Western Washington. The same windstorm affecting ferry routes has knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers, toppled trees and created hazardous conditions on highways and local roads.

Utility crews have been working through the night to restore service, but saturated soils from a week of heavy rain have left many trees more vulnerable to uprooting in strong gusts.

Transportation officials warn that road access to some terminals could also be affected by downed trees, debris or localized flooding, especially in low-lying areas or along forested corridors that feed into ferry docks.

Drivers heading to Port Townsend, Coupeville, Anacortes or other terminals are being reminded to monitor traffic advisories and allow additional time in case of detours or slow-moving congestion near storm cleanup sites.

Flood watches and warnings remain in effect on several Western Washington rivers, and the National Weather Service has cautioned that elevated river levels and saturated hillsides increase the risk of landslides in the days ahead. While these hazards are not expected to directly impact ferry sailings, they add another layer of uncertainty for travelers moving through the region during the same window as the high winds.

How Washington State Ferries Manages Severe Weather

Ferry service during major wind events is governed by a combination of Coast Guard regulations, internal safety protocols and real-time assessments from captains and operations managers.

Even when schedules appear normal at the start of the day, conditions can deteriorate rapidly, requiring last-minute adjustments that may include single-sailing cancellations, route-wide suspensions or diversion of vessels to more sheltered terminals.

When wind speeds approach thresholds that affect a vessel’s ability to safely maneuver, particularly during docking, crews may reduce speed well below normal operating levels, delay departures to wait for lulls or tidal changes, or opt to suspend service if risk factors mount.

High-profile vehicles may be temporarily restricted or advised against boarding if crosswinds become severe enough to threaten stability on the vehicle deck.

In the case of the current storm, with strong southerlies expected to align directly with several exposed approaches, officials have signaled in advance that delays and cancellations are likely rather than merely possible.

That proactive messaging is intended to help riders avoid being caught off guard at terminals, particularly on routes where alternative land routes are limited or require hours-long detours.

FAQ

Q1: Which ferry routes are expected to be most affected on December 17 and 18?
The Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes are expected to see the greatest impacts from high winds, including likely delays and potential cancellations, although rough conditions are possible on all routes.

Q2: What kind of weather is causing the disruptions?
A strong Pacific storm system is bringing High Wind Warnings and advisories across Western Washington, with sustained winds in the 25 to 35 mile-per-hour range and gusts that could reach 50 to 55 miles per hour over inland waters and the coast.

Q3: Will all sailings be canceled on these dates?
Not necessarily. Washington State Ferries will attempt to operate as many sailings as can be conducted safely, but passengers should be prepared for partial cancellations, individual trip suspensions and longer-than-scheduled crossing times.

Q4: How should travelers adjust their plans?
Riders are advised to build extra time into their schedules, arrive early at terminals, consider traveling earlier in the day before winds peak, and, when possible, shift nonessential trips to days with calmer conditions.

Q5: Are vehicle reservations guaranteed during severe weather?
No. Reservations hold a place in line but do not guarantee that a specific sailing will operate. During high-wind events, even customers with reservations may experience delays if sailings are canceled or vessels are operating with reduced capacity.

Q6: What can passengers expect onboard during the storm?
Passengers should be prepared for bumpy rides, especially in more exposed stretches of water. Crews may load vessels to full vehicle capacity and operate at reduced speeds to improve stability, which can make crossings feel longer and rougher than usual.

Q7: Could other routes be affected even if they are not in the main warning area?
Yes. While the most severe impacts are expected on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville runs, high winds and choppy seas can cause delays or occasional cancellations on other routes as conditions change through the day.

Q8: How do high winds interact with existing mechanical and staffing challenges?
With several vessels already out of service for repairs and limited backup capacity, high winds reduce operational flexibility. Any route suspension or extended delay can ripple through the system more quickly, leading to longer waits and fewer options for rerouting passengers.

Q9: What should island residents do if they rely on ferries for essential travel?
Residents who must travel for medical appointments, work or critical errands are encouraged to book earlier sailings when possible, monitor alerts closely and have contingency plans in case a planned trip is delayed or canceled at short notice.

Q10: How long are these high-wind impacts expected to last?
Based on the current forecast, the most disruptive winds are expected from late Tuesday through early Thursday, with the highest risk for ferry interruptions on December 17 and 18. Conditions should gradually improve as the storm system moves east, though residual swell and scattered gusts may linger into the following day.