Environment Canada has issued rain and wind warnings for parts of west, east and north Vancouver Island, with residents warned they may experience localized flooding in low-lying areas, starting today.
A storm system is expected to arrive on the west coast this afternoon, bringing rain, becoming heavy tonight, and strong winds. The west coast, especially from Ucluelet northward, can expect up to 150 millimetres of rain.
On Thursday, freezing levels will rise above mountain tops. Highway 4 through the mountains could be affected by snow melt runoff, leading to possible localized flooding in low-lying areas. Motorists are advised to avoid driving through water.
In the north island, especially around Port Alice, between 50 and 100 millimetres of rain is expected between this afternoon and Thursday afternoon.
A weather front over the eastern Pacific Ocean is expected to intensify and head toward the coast. Environment Canada forecast southeasterly winds of up to 90 km/h that will hit the north coast this morning and move to the central coast and the north island by early afternoon.
