Metro Vancouver weather: Heavy rain expected Sunday and Monday

Keep your rain gear handy: Heavy rain is barrelling towards Metro Vancouver, with up to 110 millilitres of rain set to kick off the second week of spring break.

Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for the region, which is expected to get a soaking of 60 to 110 mm starting overnight Saturday into Monday.

“The heaviest rainfall is expected during the day on Sunday and Sunday night,” said the weather agency Saturday morning. “Further east, towards Abbotsford, the heaviest rainfall is expected Sunday night and into Monday morning.”

While rainfall amounts will vary with location, the heaviest rain is expected to fall near the coastal mountains, including the North Shore and the Coquitlam region. Those areas could get between 80 to 110 cm by Monday afternoon, when the rain is expected to taper off.

Other areas in the region can expect a more modest drenching of 60 to 90 mm.

The rainfall warning also covers the Sunshine Coast and the southwestern portion of Vancouver Island, including Port Renfrew, which could get up to 130 mm. Further north, Tofino could get about 90 mm of rain.

Freezing levels will continue to rise during the day on Sunday and stay elevated into next week, said Environment Canada. That means temperatures will warm up to double-digit highs. At Vancouver International Airport, for example, temperatures are expected to climb to 15 C by Wednesday.

Environment Canada said the heavy rain could cause localized flooding in low-lying areas and cautioned drivers to drive for the conditions.

chchan@postmedia.com