Residents across southern B.C. are being warned to expect some wild weather over the next day or two.

Environment Canada has issued special weather statements or severe thunderstorm watches for the entire region from the east coast of Vancouver Island to the Elk Valley in the southeastern corner of the province -- and all the way north to the Cariboo.

The special weather statement -- which also covers Metro Vancouver -- warns of torrential rain of up to 50 millimetres within a few hours, while the thunderstorm watch over all of southeastern B.C. predicts strong winds, hail and rain climaxing late tomorrow.

Over Metro Vancouver, the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and points east to the Okanagan and Cariboo, Environment Canada says the chance of extremely heavy rain or possible flooding is most likely by tonight.