Rain warnings for Vancouver, North Shore as 250 mm threatens Vancouver Island

Rain that is forecast to ease only briefly on Wednesday morning will keep falling on Metro Vancouver, where Environment Canada has issued yellow rainfall warnings, with the North Shore expected to get the heaviest totals.

For central Metro Vancouver, including the City of Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, the agency forecasts up to 50 mm. Its latest bulletin, issued Tuesday, Nov. 10, says the warning runs until Wednesday morning. Rain is then expected to ease before picking up again later in the day. Environment Canada says water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, which matters for anyone driving or cycling home in the evening, and it urges people to watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

The North Shore is in line for considerably more. A yellow warning for West Vancouver and North Vancouver calls for 60 to 100 mm, possibly near 120 mm in the mountains, with heavy rain expected to end late Wednesday night.

The most serious warnings are farther north and west. West and central Vancouver Island are under an orange warning, rated high impact, from the morning of Nov. 10 through Thursday morning. Environment Canada forecasts 150 to 200 mm there, possibly exceeding 250 mm locally, with rainfall rates of 10 to 15 mm/h and at times up to 20 mm/h. Global News BC reported that the deluge on the island and in other parts of southwest B.C. could bring floods and landslides.

Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler are also under an orange, high-impact warning, with 120 to 160 mm forecast, possibly more. Road conditions for the corridor are available at DriveBC. An orange warning for inland Vancouver Island was posted at 5:07 a.m. on Nov. 10 as well.

In the orange-warning areas, Environment Canada says localized flooding is likely and some roads may become impassable. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars. For the Quatsino, Port Alice and Woss area, the agency said the ground is saturated after a series of storms, which increases the likelihood of impacts.

East Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast have yellow warnings for 50 to 100 mm. The highest amounts on the island's east side are forecast between Qualicum Beach and Courtenay, with possible spillover to Powell River. Inland sections of the Central Coast could see up to 70 mm by Wednesday evening.

Another weather system is expected to approach Vancouver Island on Friday. Environment Canada asks the public to report severe weather by email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or on social media with #BCStorm.