Flood warning issued
Satellite weather map showing precipitation intensity.
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Updated: November 15, 2009 9:52 AM
Parts of B.C.'s Lower Mainland are now on flood watch.
The wet, subtropical storm system now hitting the coast is expected to bring heavy rain to sections of the south coast until Tuesday.
"High streamflow conditions will be widespread by early Monday and there is significant potential for flooding on some rivers Monday and Tuesday," according to an advisory issued Saturday by B.C.'s environment ministry.
The most intense rainfall is expected to hit mountainous parts of Metro Vancouver – the North Shore, Tri Cities, Maple Ridge and Mission – as well as Howe Sound, including the Sea-to-Sky corridor, and western and central Vancouver Island.
The storm system was expected to stall over the south coast, with heavy rain continuing Monday and Tuesday.
The warmer wet weather threatens to melt much of the one metre of snow on local mountains, adding to the deluge coming downstream.
Environment Canada is forecasting 80 to 200 millimetres of rain for Metro Vancouver by Monday.
The snowpack at higher elevations is the equivalent of an additional 200 to 250 millimetres that could also be released.
Residents are advised to keep away from shoreline areas and keep a watch out for threats from high water levels, including plugged drains.
