A storm packing high winds and rain hitting the B.C. coast tonight is expected to bring strong, gusty winds to the Souther Interior.

The storm is part of a series of atmospheric rivers approaching Vancouver Island and the central coast, Nov. 5, and has prompted Environment Canada to issue weather warnings and special weather statements.

Parts of Vancouver Island could get up to 120 millimetres of rain, the weather office says, with the heaviest rain expected northwest of Tofino. The central coast will also get some heavy rain and the northern and central coasts will get wind gusts up to 110 km/h.

The first of the atmospheric rivers will persist into Friday with more expected.

The forecaster is calling for strong, gusty southeast winds to begin this evening in several areas of the Southern Interior including the Cariboo, Prince George, 100 Mile House and the South Thompson including Kamloops.

“Winds may ease slightly Friday afternoon before an incoming cold front will bring a strong push of southwest winds, with gusts potentially up to 90 km/h between Quesnel and Prince George,” reads a special weather statement from Environment Canada.

“Winds for the South Thompson region will peak Friday afternoon, with the strongest winds expected near Cache Creek.”

The weather office says an even stronger storm is likely to follow Saturday evening.

For the latest on the special weather statement and other warnings, go to Environment Canada’s weather information website here.

— With files from The Canadian Press