Rain, wind warnings issued for Metro Vancouver

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The heavy rains and strong winds will continue as a deep Pacific low pressure system moving across the region.

Environment Canada has issued a strong winds and heavy rain warning for Metro Vancouver, as wind on west Vancouver Island is expected to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h.

In a special weather alert, the agency warns that between 30 and 40 mm of rain are expected on Thursday, while southwesterly winds could reach speeds of 90 km/h in Metro Vancouver.

Meanwhile, wind warnings are also in place for Greater Victoria, Inland Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands, where gusts are expected to reach a similar speed.

Environment Canada has also issued a wind warning for west Vancouver Island, ahead of very strong winds, gusting up to 100 km/h.

As of 6:30 a.m. PT on Thursday, rain warnings are also in place for the Central Coast and the Howe Sound, while wind warnings had also been issued. A weather statement alerting residents to strong winds was issued for the Sunshine Coast and East Vancouver Island, where gusts could reach speeds of up to 80 km/h.

The heavy rains and strong winds will continue as a deep Pacific low pressure system moving across the region, but are expected to subside Thursday night, when the system moves inland.

Far removed from that system, in northern B.C., Environment Canada has also issued snowfall warnings for the Cassiar Mountains and Watson Lake, where up to 15 centimetres of snow is expected.

Drivers are urged to prepare for changing road conditions and low visibility.

North Shore hit by more rain

Thursday's warnings come only days after Metro Vancouver's North Shore was hit with flash flooding following downpours of 88 mm Monday night. And only Wednesday residents were warned to brace themselves for another major storm.

On Thursday morning, our reporter Richard Zussman discovered the rains had not brought such severe flooding as Monday, although a soccer field at Cousteau School was underwater.