Rain, wind warnings issued along BC's south coast

Wind warnings covered much of British Columbia's south and central coast Tuesday night, while Environment Canada added a rainfall warning for Haida Gwaii and a winter storm warning for a section of Highway 3 in the southern Interior.

The weather office said rainy and blustery conditions along the coast stemmed from a "vigorous Pacific frontal system."

The wind warnings spanning much of Vancouver Island, including the Greater Victoria area, as well as the southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and parts of Metro Vancouver, said gusts could peak at speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour.

On northern Vancouver Island and the central coast, the weather office said winds could reach speeds of up to 110 kilometres an hour before easing Wednesday.

A rainfall warning for Haida Gwaii, meanwhile, said downpours could add up to a total of 60 millimetres before subsiding later Wednesday.

The rainfall warning for northern parts of Vancouver Island and Howe Sound said the region could see rainfall ranging from 50 to 90 millimetres.

The rain would bring an increased risk of washouts, rockfalls and landslides along with water pooling on roads, Environment Canada said in its bulletin.

A snowfall warning is in effect for a stretch of Highway 3 from Paulson summit to Kootenay pass between Grand Forks and Creston.

The weather office said the route could see 30 to 40 centimetres of accumulation between Wednesday and Friday before the flurries ease, and drivers should prepare for reduced visibility and slippery conditions on the highway.