Rainstorm to soak B.C.'s South Coast Tuesday, forecaster says

People are silhouetted as they use umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain on the boardwalk overlooking the Steveston Fisherman's Wharf, in Richmond, B.C., on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Heavy rain is in store for parts of B.C.’s South Coast starting Tuesday afternoon, Environment Canada says.

The federal weather agency issued rainfall warnings covering Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, and the west coast of Vancouver Island.

It says up to 70 millimetres of rain is expected on the mainland and as many as 100 millimetres on the island. The precipitation is forecast to start mid-day Tuesday and taper off Wednesday morning.

“High flows and localized flooding are possible, particularly at lower elevations and in areas with poor drainage,” the alert reads. “Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.”

Meanwhile, the forecaster issued a snowfall warning for the Sea to Sky corridor between Squamish and Whistler, saying up to 20 centimetres could fall by Wednesday morning.

“Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” reads the notice for that region. “Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.”

The latest round of weather comes after an intense windstorm knocked out power and downed trees across the South Coast, and a landslide blocked the Sea to Sky Highway for a full day. At least two people were killed in Saturday’s storm—when a tree fell on a woman in Surrey and a Lions Bay resident died after their house was swept away in the slide.