Rainfall warnings issued for Lower Mainland, western Vancouver Island

People walk a dog wearing a raincoat as others carry umbrellas while rain falls, in Vancouver, on Sunday, December 27, 2020. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Rainfall warnings are in effect for much of Metro Vancouver, as well as the western Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast and the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the warnings late Saturday morning in anticipation of “a prolonged period of heavy rain and rising freezing levels” expected to begin Saturday night.

“The heaviest rainfall is expected during the day on Sunday and Sunday night; periods of rain will continue into Monday before tapering off in the afternoon,” the weather agency said.

“Further east, towards Abbotsford, the heaviest rainfall is expected Sunday night and into Monday morning.”

In Metro Vancouver, the warning applies to the central and northern parts of the region, including the City of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, the North Shore and the northeast, including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

Southern portions of the region – including Richmond, Delta and Surrey – are not covered by the warning.

Rainfall totals are expected to vary across the warning area, with the highest amounts found on the North Shore. Totals between 60 and 110 millimetres are anticipated, Environment Canada said.

On Vancouver Island’s west coast, rainfall totals between 90 and 130 millimetres are expected, with Tofino receiving amounts on the lower end of that range and Port Renfrew seeing the most precipitation.

“Rainfall warnings are issued when significant rainfall is expected,” ECCC said. “Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”