A special weather statement has been issued for north Vancouver Island and west Vancouver Island ahead of a wet and windy weekend for the B.C. coast.
According to Environment Canada, heavy rain and strong winds are in the forecast for B.C. coastal communities. The weather agency said beginning early Saturday morning, there will be heavy rain and mild conditions on northern Vancouver Island and the Central Coast until mid-day Sunday.
The heaviest rainfall is expected along the west side of Vancouver Island and coastal communities of the Central Coast. Total rainfall amounts in excess of 100 millimetres are likely over those areas, Environment Canada said.
Freezing levels will be on the rise upwards of 3,000 metres for the South Coast and close to 2,500 metres for the North Coast. The mild air will result in rain at almost all elevations. High runoff and rising river levels are likely through the weekend.
Mountainous regions further south including the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound and the North Shore Mountains are also expected to see significant rainfall, potentially exceeding the rainfall warning criteria of 50 mm in 24 hours.
Environment Canada said in addition to the heavy rain, strong winds will accompany the system. Exposed coastal communities along west Vancouver Island, the Central and North Coasts will likely experience wind gusts in excess of 90 kilometres and hour on Saturday morning.
The public is asked to monitor potential rainfall and wind warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as potential high streamflow advisories or flood watches from the BC River Forecast Centre.
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