VANCOUVER — Rain, snowfall and even freezing rain warnings cover many parts of British Columbia as the province prepares to welcome 2020 with some nasty weather.

Environment Canada is calling for as much as 60 millimetres of rain over the inner south coast, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, while up to 100 millimetres is forecast along the west coast of Vancouver Island and the mainland central coast.

The weather office says localized flooding in low-lying areas and washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts are possible.

NEWS 1130’s meteorologist Russ Lacate says a mild and subtropical jet stream is the cause for heavy rain in the Lower Mainland.

“But a short drive outside of the district brings you face to face with more wicked conditions. It’s heavy, wet, snow and limited visibility for parts of the Sea to Sky through Whistler and more so through along the Coquihalla and neighbouring passes,” he says.

Snowfall warnings are posted in many areas from the Fraser Canyon east to the Alberta boundary, with accumulations of 25 to 40 centimetres expected to blanket mountain passes before the system peters out Wednesday.

The effects of the weather are already being felt after Monday night’s heavy and wet snowfall knocked out power for 26,000 customers in the southern interior region.

Last night’s heavy and wet snowfall caused extensive outages in the southern Interior today, particularly near #ChaseBC, #Kamloops, #VernonBC #SalmonArm and #100MileHouse, leaving 26,000 customers without power. pic.twitter.com/FUsl1vLpmp — BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 31, 2019



Environment Canada says travel is not recommended, especially over the Kootenay Pass, until conditions ease.

And in northeastern B.C., forecasters are calling for freezing rain through the day across the Fort Nelson region, potentially making travel treacherous.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 31, 2019.

The Canadian Press