Second storm incoming for Christmas Day in southern B.C.

A pedestrian uses an umbrella to shield themselves from the heavy rain as they walk along the shore of the harbour in Vancouver Tuesday, January 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Environment Canada has issued a new series of weather warnings for British Columbia’s south coast Christmas morning.

The region is preparing for a second storm after the first brought heavy rain and strong winds Monday.

Special weather statements have been issued for Metro Vancouver, Squamish , Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.

Forecasters warn that up to 100 millimetres of rain could drench the regions, paired with strong, southeasterly winds of up to 100 km/h.

“A weather system arriving today (Christmas Day) will bring widespread, very strong southeast winds to the inner South Coast,” the weather agency said.

“A low pressure system will merge with the first storm over the inner south coast overnight into Boxing Day morning, prolonging the wind event possibly into the late morning.”

The alerts are in place from late morning Christmas Day to possibly as long as midday Boxing Day, it said.

As those on British Columbia’s southern coast gear up for their Christmas Day plans, the weather office urges people to expect traffic disruptions and to prepare to have to drive to conditions on the road.

Strong winds may cause damage to outdoor holiday decorations and toss objects that are not securely fixed in place. Power outages and downed trees may occur, it warned.