Lower Mainland under rainfall warning; flood watch in parts of south coast

Keep those umbrellas handy over the next couple of days as a series of atmospheric rivers moves across B.C.’s south coast.

A rainfall warning has been issued for the Metro Vancouver and Howe Sound regions. Environment Canada says the weather system began Saturday, but the “main brunt” will arrive Sunday.

“The rain will be heaviest through the afternoon, evening, overnight, and Monday morning as this atmospheric river slumps down towards the south coast,” said 1130NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss.

“Those warnings will be in place through Monday morning.”

The weather office says heavy rain is expected at times and will continue into Monday. Amounts of up to 125 millimetres are expected in some areas, and potentially more on the North Shore.

Kuss says we could also see gusting winds up to 60 kilometres per hour.

The heavier rain is expected to ease by Monday night.

Flood watch issued for parts of B.C.’s south coast

B.C.’s Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship has issued a flood watch along north and west Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, and the North Shore Mountains.

The ministry says prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rain are possible, along with warmer temperatures and additional runoff from rain-on-snow melt.

The ministry says temperatures are expected to rise into the week, with the potential for significant snowmelt Sunday and Monday, particularly on mid-elevation terrain in the affected regions.