Up to 100 mm of rain

Photo: CTV

Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are preparing for heavy rains Friday evening and Saturday.

A rainfall warning was issued by Environment Canada Friday morning, warning of a frontal system that is expected to drop up to 100 millimetres of rain near Vancouver’s North Shore mountains, and 50 to 70 mm of rain on the city.

The Fraser Valley can expect 50 to 80 mm of rain.

Environment Canada is warning people of possible flash flooding and pooling water on roads.

In the Okanagan, the rain will be far less severe.

“When we get a rain warning in Vancouver, it’s pretty rare that that means anything for the Interior,” said Doug Lundquist, meteorologist with Environment Canada. “What’s left when it comes to our side of the mountains is much, much less.”

Lundquist said the Coquihalla Highway might see some snow later this afternoon, as the system moves toward the Interior, and it could drop snow in Rogers Pass.

“This time of year, it’s always good to have those chains and those winter tires and drive cautiously,” Lundquist said.

In Kelowna, there is a 40 per cent chance of rain today and tonight, and a 70 per cent chance Saturday.

Kelowna will continue to see unusually high temperatures over the next week, hovering between eight to 12 C.

“That’s definitely above average,” Lundquist said. “That’s going to remain for a week or 10 days.”