Vancouver Island, southern B.C. to get drenched as wet summer system arrives

VANCOUVER – Environment Canada is warning southern British Columbia residents to prepare for pelting rain.

It says an unseasonably strong front arriving from the Pacific will join with a warm, wet system coming up from the south and result in rainfall of up to 50 millimetres for the eastern parts of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Rainfall warnings are issued for those regions while special weather statements are posted for Howe Sound, inland and west Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver and Whistler.

Environment Canada says it’s uncertain where the heaviest rain will occur.

Continuous rain will end overnight Thursday or early Friday as the front pushes east, with forecasters calling for showers or the risk of thunderstorms and gusty winds heading into the long weekend.

A separate severe thunderstorm watch has been posted for the Fort Nelson region with the prediction of strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain along with thunder and lightning.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story.A previous version said a thunderstorm warning had been posted.