Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas.
The agency says 60 to 80 millimetres of rain is expected to fall across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast and sections of east Vancouver Island through Friday morning.
Even more rain - up to 150 millimetres - could fall on west Vancouver Island, Howe Sound and the North Shore.
The warm, wet storm system bringing the rain will also produce strong winds.
The rainfall should end by midday Friday.
Possible flooding
A flood watch has been issued for east and central Vancouver Island.
The flood watch on Vancouver Island applies to the Cowichan, Chemainus, Nanaimo, Englishman and Tsolum Rivers, among others.
The B.C. environment ministry says there could be some flooding because the high flow will correspond with a high tide about 7 a.m. Friday morning.
Heavy rains earlier this week caused some flooding in Courtenay, the second time the area has been inundated by high water in two months.
Meanwhile, a high streamflow advisory has been issued for the North Shore and northern basins of the Fraser Valley.
Freezing levels
In addition to all the rain, freezing levels on South Coast mountains are expected to rise to about 1,200 to 1,400 metres, melting more snow, sending it into already-swollen rivers and streams.
With files from The Canadian Press
