Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for western and inland Vancouver Island and wet, windy conditions for parts of Metro Vancouver, with up to 120 millimetres of rain possible in some areas.
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Parts of British Columbia are expected to experience heavy rain beginning Thursday afternoon, with Environment Canada warning that a storm could bring as much as 120 millimetres of rainfall to some communities.
The rainfall warning covers western and inland Vancouver Island, where the rainfall rate is expected to top 10 millimetres per hour for several hours. The heaviest rain is expected from Tofino north to communities including Port Alice and Zeballos.
On Metro Vancouver, including the North Shore, Coquitlam and Howe Sound, Environment Canada said total rainfall for some communities could reach between 50 and 80 millimetres.
Heavy rain is also forecast for the central coast, including Bella Coola. The north and central coasts face gusts up to 110 kilometres an hour.
Environment Canada said the wet weather is expected to begin Thursday afternoon and continue into Friday, and that more wet conditions are likely into next week from an incoming low-pressure system.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for the south and central coasts, including northern, western and central Vancouver Island. The advisory recommends staying clear of banks of swift running rivers, avoiding flooded roads and keeping storm drains clear.
The River Forecast Centre said rivers are expected to rise rapidly in response to rainfall, with peak flows from the first storm expected on Friday, noting that levels may see short reprieves between storms but high flows are possible throughout the remainder of the week, including the weekend and into next week.
The advisory also notes a second rain system is expected to hit B.C. on Saturday and stretch into Sunday, followed by a third system arriving on Monday.
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