Rain, snowfall warnings issued as fall storm blows through B.C.

Officials in British Columbia have issued warnings for heavy rain and snow as a fall storm moves through the province. Environment Canada forecasts up to 90 millimeters of rain for parts of Metro Vancouver and Howe Sound, with up to 60 millimeters expected on Haida Gwaii.

This rainfall could cause flash flooding, pooling on roads, and washouts near waterways, the agency cautions. The storm follows another that brought strong winds and rain across southwestern B.C. on Tuesday night. As of 8 a.m. PT Wednesday, B.C. Hydro reports localized power outages affecting dozens in the Lower Mainland.

Ken Dosanjh, meteorologist at Environment Canada, said the storm is expected to ease by the end of Wednesday. "In terms of rainfall, we are past the brunt of it," he explained. "The main front has moved through, and now we're observing this low-pressure center lingering along the Central Coast, which will gradually bring additional precipitation to the Lower Mainland."

The same Pacific system is also bringing snow to northern areas of the province. Northern Peace River region is expected to receive up to 15 centimeters of snow by Wednesday evening, with conditions easing overnight. Meanwhile, Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass could see between 30 and 50 centimeters through Thursday night.

Dosanjh noted that this storm is one of several that have impacted B.C. this fall, with Metro Vancouver experiencing roughly 170 percent of its average October rainfall. "Over the past couple of months, the B.C. coastline has been hit by back-to-back systems, oddly enough, often over the weekends," he said.

Environment Canada expects additional rainfall to return to the Lower Mainland this weekend.