Weather: Rainfall warning issued across Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning across a large swath of southwestern B.C.

At 6 a.m. on Sunday, the weather forecaster stated a long duration rainfall event was expected for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Whistler, Sunshine Coast, East Vancouver Island (Duncan to Nanaimo) and West Vancouver Island.

Between 20 to 50 mm of rain is expected today, with near 80mm for impacted areas on Vancouver Island.

Rising freezing levels with melting snow will increase river flows and cause possible localized flooding. Southerly winds will remain elevated during this period, ranging from 50 to 70 km/h near the Strait of Georgia.

Exposed coastal sections of West Vancouver Island may see gusts up to 90 km/h.