Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for the north and west coasts of Vancouver Island.
Heavy rainfall in the neighbourhood of 100 mm to 200 mm is possible starting in the early hours of Tuesday on the west and north coast, especially north from Tofino including Zeballos and Tahsis.
The rain, the result of an atmospheric river and forming the third major storm to hit the Island in the last two weeks, is expected to become heavy early Tuesday and will persist through Wednesday.
Flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Warmer temperatures at higher elevations could lead to snowmelt, increasing runoff.
Environment Canada acknowledges there is some uncertainty about the rainfall totals.
In Greater Victoria, the forecast for Monday is periods of rain into late morning, then a chance of showers, with rain resuming near midnight and continuing into Tuesday. High temperatures will be around 10 C, lows around 8 C.
Nanaimo can expect a chance of showers on Monday, with rain beginning near midnight. The forecast for Tuesday has periods of rain, easing to showers by Wednesday night.
