Rainfall warning in place for Metro Vancouver

People use umbrellas while walking along the Stanley Park seawall as rain falls while a small amount of snow remains from a previous snowfall in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Heavy downpour is in store for Metro Vancouver, with up to 70 millimetres of rain expected by Wednesday night.

Environment Canada has issued weather warnings for much of the Lower Mainland as a low-pressure centre is predicted to sweep over the region.

The Howe Sound and all of Metro Vancouver, including the North Shore and the northeast areas of Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, are forecast for a bout of heavy rain, while Vancouver Island and parts of the Sunshine Coast are expected to face strong winds.

The weather agency says the heaviest rain will peter out overnight Wednesday, tapering off to scattered showers throughout Thursday.

Motorists are advised to be cautious of water pooling on roads and flash flooding, which may occur in low-lying areas.

The winds may cause damage to buildings, power outages and fallen tree branches.

The strong gusts could reach up to 90 km/h, but will ease as midday sets in, says Environment Canada.