Warnings of heavy rain, potential flooding for southeastern B.C.

Parts of British Columbia'sKootenays region could see heavy rain on Wednesday, raising warnings of flooding.

Environment Canada says cities including Kimberley, Creston and Cranbrook could see up to 50 millimetresof rainina stark turn of events for the area,where dozens of fires have been burning, threatening communitiesand creating smoky conditions.

In a special weather statement for the West and East Kootenay, Kootenay Lake and sections of the Elk Valley, the agency said an expected 30-50 millimetresof rainfall could cause flooding and low visibility on roads.

"An upper low will cross the Idaho panhandle early this morning and then move into northwestern Montana, bringing periods of heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms to parts of the Kootenays," said the statement.

Heavy rain is expected to ease to a few showers Wednesday afternoon as the low moves into eastern Montana, said Environment Canada.

Rainfall records possible

Lisa Erven, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Wednesday's rainfall in the Kootenays will be intense at times and could amount to new daily rainfall records by the end of the day.

"We could see rainfall rates of fiveto 10 millimetresof rain per hour or even higher rates if there's some embedded thunderstorms," she said. "So, it's that combination of volume and rate."