It’s going to be a wet, windy weekend for many parts of B.C.’s coast.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for several coastal sections, including the central and northern coasts, western Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, as well as a special weather statement for the northern areas of Metro Vancouver.
Forecasters say an atmospheric river will hit the entire coast early Saturday morning. But the heaviest rainfall will be on northern Vancouver Island and in central and northern coastal communities initially, before slowly sliding south into Metro Vancouver by Saturday night.
“It will be rainy on Saturday in Metro Vancouver, but not heavy rain. The real downpour will occur Saturday night into early Sunday morning,” Global BC meteorologist Kristi Gordon said Friday.
“People will need to slow down on the roads during this time since localized flooding and pooling water in roads is likely.”
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Total rainfall amounts by the end of the weekend will be largest on western Vancouver Island, the central coast and Howe Sound. Tofino alone could get up to 120 millimetres of rain by Saturday night, Gordon said.
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The Sunshine Coast and northern regions of Metro Vancouver, from West Vancouver east to Maple Ridge, will also see significant rainfall through Sunday, with rainfall totals potentially reaching 50 to 70 millimetres by Sunday afternoon.
Environment Canada says localizing flooding is possible in some low-lying areas.
Southern Metro Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria and Abbotsford will also see rain Saturday into Sunday, though not reaching the levels of other areas.
In addition to the rain, strong winds in the 60-80 km/h range are also expected to hit western and eastern parts of Vancouver Island and the central coast on Saturday. Metro Vancouver will experience wind in the 40-50 km/h range.
Drivers are being urged to take caution while on the roads during the heavy rainfall and high winds.
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