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Heavy rain, snow and ice take aim at already storm-battered B.C.


Heavy rain, snow and ice take aim at already storm-battered B.C.

After a weekend that brought widespread power outages, and a deadly landslide, weather warnings span British Columbia for more heavy rain and snow this week.

This time, however, the winds won't be as severe as they were on the weekend, although they will still be gusty. Travel will also likely be impacted with heavy snow falling across the mountain passes, and parts of the Okanagan.

RELATED: B.C. highway reopens after landslide during storm that killed 1, injured another

Another system is expected for late Thursday through Friday, with a couple more systems leading into the Christmas holidays, as well. The mild pattern will bring the threat for more rain to the south coast ski areas, but things look to take a cooler turn into the final week of December.

Tuesday will start off on a dry note for the Lower Mainland as Vancouver Island is the first to see the rain brought in by a moisture-laden Pacific low.

The rain will become heavy on the west side of Vancouver Island by the afternoon, with the mainland starting to see rain pick up as well throughout the late afternoon and evening.

We could see peak rainfall rates reach as high as 5-10 mm/h, which could lead to localized flooding and small landslides, especially in areas already impacted by the previous storm.

A widespread 30-50 mm of rain is forecast, with locally higher amounts possibly reaching 100 mm in some spots through Wednesday.

"Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the rainfall warning issued for the region. "If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts."

SEE ALSO: Want a white Christmas? These Canadian cities have the best odds

Wind gusts will be limited to 40-60 km/h along Vancouver Island's west coast and along the northern Gulf Islands. Wind gusts for the Lower Mainland will be between 30-50 km/h.

In the Okanagan, snowfall is expected for Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, and surrounding areas. Between 5-15 is forecast before milder temperatures transition the snow to mixing and rain Tuesday overnight.

This could make for some slippery and difficult travel conditions as the snow accumulates.

The highway passes will also see snow, with heavier accumulations up to 20 cm possible into Wednesday.

There will also be the chance for some freezing rain as the milder conditions move in and the precipitation gradually changes over to rain.

"Prepare for hazardous travel conditions and allow extra time to reach your destination," ECCC says.

Once again, there won't be much of a break for folks in the province, as yet another system will come onshore by the end of the week.

There is also a potential for a couple more systems to roll in through the holidays next week.

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