B.C. coast to be hit with a wet, windy weekend

Coastal communities in B.C. are being warnedto expecta very rainy and windy weekend.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather alert for multiple communities on the Central Coast and on Vancouver Island, as well asparts of Metro Vancouver.

The weather agency says an atmospheric riverknown as a Pineapple Expresswill take aim at northern Vancouver Island and the Central Coast starting early Saturday morning, withexposed coastal communities forecast to see wind gusts in excess of 90 km/h.

The weather phenomenon involvesa build-up of tropical moisture extending from Hawaii to the West Coast, producing heavy downpours.

The agency says mild weather across the coast will resultin rain at almost all elevations, producing high runoff and rising river levels.

The heaviest rainfall is expected along the west side of Vancouver Island and coastal communities on the Central Coast.

More than 100 millimetresof rain couldpummel those regions, according to Environment Canada.

Mountainous regions, including the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound and the North Shore mountains, could see more than 50 millimetresof rain within 24 hours.

The alert also applies to the northeast region of Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

The weather system should lift around midday Sunday, according to the agency.