Environment Canada is warning of strong winds overnight Wednesday in all three P.E.I. counties.

A wind warning issued just before 5 a.m. AT and updated just before 4 p.m. said winds could gust as high as 90 km/h.

The weather was fine during the day Wednesday, mainly sunny with a high of 5 C and winds calm until mid-afternoon.

The wind was forecast to start picking up late in the evening, blowing at 40 km/h with gusts to 60 starting around 8 p.m. Clouds were expected to roll in, with rain starting around midnight.

By about 4 a.m. AT on Thursday, the wind will be blowing out of the south at 50 km/h with gusts to 70, increasing to up to 90 in some locations.

"Gusts topping 100 km/h are possible for more exposed and coastal areas," said CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland. "The wind will ease following the passage of this cold front Thursday morning, with a brisk 30-60 km/h westerly wind persisting through the day."

Islanders were being advised to take in any loose items around their homes that could pose a danger if they were picked up by the wind — including Christmas decorations.

Strait Crossings was advising the wind could restrict Confederation Bridge traffic as early as 6 p.m. Wednesday, and those conditions could last until 7 a.m. Thursday.

Northumberland Ferries has cancelled the first two sailings from both Wood Islands and Caribou Thursday morning. With the change to a December schedule, that leaves just one departure each from Wood Islands (at 4:30 p.m.) and Caribou (at 6 p.m. AT).

Total rainfall is expected to amount to 15 to 30 millimetres.

The winds will become lighter by mid-morning Thursday, and the temperature will climb up to 10 C but then begin falling, dropping to 2 C in the afternoon with a chance of flurries.