Heavy rain warning issued for Metro Vancouver, Coastal B.C., and Vancouver Island

Environment and Climate Change Canada has forecast heavy rainfall for parts of Metro Vancouver, coastal B.C., and Vancouver Island today, prompting the weather agency to issue rainfall warnings.

The warnings cover Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, the North Shore, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, and Howe Sound, as well as the central coast, Kitimat, and western Vancouver Island.

In Metro Vancouver, the rain is expected to begin Monday evening and taper off by Tuesday afternoon, with total rainfall amounts anticipated between 50 and 70 millimetres.

A statement from the weather agency notes, "Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic. Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Allow extra time for travel. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts."

On Vancouver Island, precipitation is set to begin late Monday morning and continue until Tuesday morning, with up to 100 millimetres expected to fall.

Further north, near the ocean on the central coast, up to 100 millimetres of rain is predicted, while inland areas could see up to 50 millimetres.

Following this wet start to the week, conditions across B.C.'s South Coast are expected to turn warm and sunny heading into the weekend.