Environment Canada warns of Metro Vancouver's "first active storm" of fall

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement over Metro Vancouver on the first day of fall.

The warning is in effect for the following areas:

• Metro Vancouver – central including the City of Vancouver Burnaby and New Westminster
• Metro Vancouver – North Shore including West Vancouver and North Vancouver
• Metro Vancouver – northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
• Metro Vancouver – southeast including Surrey and Langley
• Metro Vancouver – southwest including Richmond and Delta

The weather agency says that “a series of vigorous frontal systems” will be moving across BC’s south coast from Tuesday night to Saturday.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected in what the agency calls the “first active storm cycle of the fall season.”

The storm is expected to hit Vancouver Island on Tuesday night, reaching Metro Vancouver by Wednesday morning.

“For the mainland coast, total rainfall amounts will range from 50 mm to in excess of 100 mm over the two day period,” writes Environment Canada in a special weather statement. “The heaviest rainfall amounts are currently expected over Howe Sound and the North Shore.”

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Winds between 60 to 80 km/h are also expected on Vancouver Island, with gusts across the Strait of Georgia between 50 and 70 km/h.

Residents are being warned of localized flooding caused by the heavy rain, as well as power outages.

Environment Canada says that rainfall will continue into Friday and Saturday as well, and that rainfall and wind warnings will be issued as necessary.