Heavy rain forecast for Lower Mainland prompts rainfall warning

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning due to heavy rain in parts of Metro Vancouver and southwest British Columbiaon Sunday.

Up to 60 millimetres of rain could fall on Metro Vancouver's North Shore and northeast sections, as well asthe Fraser Valleyincluding Abbotsford, the forecaster said.

The rain, which began Sunday morning, is set to intensify late in theafternoon before easingon Monday, according to the statement.

Environment Canada saidthe heavy rain could cause flash floods and water pooling, as well aslocalized flooding in low-lying areas.

Metro Vancouver issued an advisory warning of high river flows on the North Shore's Capilano and Seymour rivers due to the storm on Sunday.

"Those recreating near either river during this time, including within Capilano River Regional Park, should use extreme caution," the regional district said in a Sunday statement.

Metro Vancouver is urging hikers to stay on designatedtrails and not enter rushing rivers under any circumstances.

While it is expected to be cool in the days ahead, forecasters warned that"above normal" temperatures are set to hit B.C. this summer.

"We will stay in cooler temperatures for another six or so days before we go into a heat event next weekend or late next week and likely remain in warmer probabilities for the rest of the month," said Armel Castellan,a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

According to Castellan, northwest B.C. and the central Interior haveseen a "fairly normal" spring sofar withmore precipitation than usual inMay, while the northeast region has faceda major rainfall deficit.

June's weather outlook indicates a probability of below-normal precipitation across the B.C. Interior as the month unfolds, according to Environment Canada.