It’s a sunny start to the week for the South Coast but that is set to quickly change.
Global BC meteorologist Mark Madryga said while Monday is bright and mild, this is the calm before the storm.
A rainfall warning has been issued for many parts of the South Coast with up to 150 mm of rain possible for the west coast of Vancouver Island and up to 80 mm for Metro Vancouver.
“An intense Pacific front is generating rain and gusty wind on the North and Central B.C. Coast,” Madryga said Monday. “That same front will slide southwards today with rain sweeping into Central Vancouver Island by later this afternoon, and into the Lower Mainland later tonight.”
Madryga said the rain will be heaviest in Howe Sound, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley overnight Monday and into Tuesday morning.
Another system will move across the South Coast later Tuesday, bringing strong winds and two waves of heavy rain once again.
“This rainfall warning includes two separate systems which will cross the South Coast within the next 36 hours. The first system , or wave of heavy rain for Metro Vancouver will occur tonight through tomorrow morning,” meteorologist Kristi Gordon added Monday afternoon. “Then, we will see a brief lull in the action with a few showers before the second system or wave rain takes over Tuesday evening and overnight.”
Environment Canada has now issued a special weather statement and a rainfall warning for the region.
Madryga said the rainy weather will not last, however. It will dwindle on Thursday followed by sunnier but much cooler weather for Friday and next weekend.