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Rain and snow warnings have been issued across British Columbia as an atmospheric river makes its way over the province.
Light snow and heavy rain are expected along the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt this evening and into Tuesday morning.
Environment Canada said about 60 millimeters of precipitation is anticipated along the road.
A freezing rain warning has also been issued for the Okanagan Connector.
Wintry conditions are forecast in West Columbia, North Columbia, Kinbasket, Yoho Park and the Trans-Canada Highway between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass.
Up to 15 centimetres of snow is expected to accumulate in those areas this afternoon and into Tuesday morning.
It’s expected to affect Hwy 1 between Sicamous and Golden.
The snow is forecast to change to rain and ice pellets, with freezing rain also a possibility.
Environment Canada said up to 25 cm of snow could fall on higher terrain such as at Rogers Pass and Yoho Park.
Up to 100 mm of rain could fall near Fernie, meanwhile.
The forecaster warned of heavy precipitation along Hwy 3 between the Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass.
That rainstorm is expected to begin this evening and continue all the way into Thursday morning.
“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads,” Environment Canada said.
“Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”
The forecaster also warned of “potent and impactful” rainfall in Metro Vancouver.
It said drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler should exercise caution due to heavy rains raising the risk of flooding and landslides along the route.
Environment Canada said an atmospheric river is set to make landfall on the province’s southern coast today, bringing as much as 150 millimetres of rain to Western Vancouver Island.
Meanwhile, Inland Vancouver Island, the Howe Sound region and parts of Metro Vancouver, including the North Shore, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, are expecting up to 100 millimetres of rain from the storm.
The forecast said the rest of Metro Vancouver could get up to 70 millimetres of rain today before the storm eases on Tuesday morning.
The province’s River Forecast Centre has issued high streamflow advisories for the entire southwestern region of British Columbia, encompassing all of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the south coast.
Environment Canada said other parts of the province also face a number of weather−related warnings today, with the north coast stretching from northern Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii set for winds gusting up to 120 kilometres an hour.
– With files from Canadian Press
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