Heavy rain expected for Metro Vancouver for first night of Taylor Swift weekend

VANCOUVER — Environment Canada is warning of heavy rain for parts of B.C.’s south coast and a blanket of snow for areas in the B.C. Interior.

The weather agency says parts of Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound, Whistler and the Fraser Valley should expect up to 70 millimetres of rain through to Saturday, with possible localized flooding.

A rainfall warning has also been issued for most of the west coast of Vancouver Island, including Tofino and Zeballos, where up to 120 millimetres of rain is on the way.

The River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for much of the central and southern B.C. coast, as “rivers are anticipated to rise in response to rainfall and snowmelt.”

The warnings are triggered by what Environment Canada describes as a “robust and rain-laden frontal system” that is sliding down the B.C. coast.

Winter storm or snowfall warnings have been issued for the North and West Columbia and Kinbasket regions, where up to 30 centimetres of snow is expected by Saturday afternoon.

Snowfall warnings are also up for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt and Highway 3 from the Paulson Summit to Kootenay pass, where between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow is expected through to Sunday afternoon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024.