Rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver, snow in the Interior

Up to 60 millimetres of rain is expected to fall on Metro Vancouver by Tuesday evening as a rainstorm sweeps through the region, forecasters say, and a snowfall warning is in effect formajor highways in southern B.C.

Environment Canadaissued a rainfall warning covering most of Metro Vancouver beginning Monday night, predicting 40 to 60 millimetres by Tuesday evening.Up to 100 millimetres of rain isexpected on the central coast, turning to snow at higher elevations.

"We've got a fairly large scale frontal system affecting much of southern British Columbia," said Chris Gibbons, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

The storm is expected to bring heavy snow to some other parts of the province.

Much of the southern Interior is under a snowfall warning, including Kelowna, with 20 to 30 centimetres of snow expected.

Travel along the mountain passes is expected to be treacherous as well, with warnings issued for Highways 1, 3, and 5,including Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass on the Trans-Canada Highway.Heavy, wet snow is expected on the Coquihalla Highway betweenHope and Merritt, with up to20 centimetres expected by Tuesday evening.

Environment Canada is advising againstnon-essential travel until conditions improve.

In Metro Vancouver, RCMP are warning motorists to slow down because of danger from puddles and pooled water on the roads.

Gibbons says New Year's Evecelebrations might get a respite from the rain.

"Hopefully we'll see the rain taper offthrough the evening here and dry out in time for festivities later on," saidGibbons.

"There is a bit of hope."

Forecasters are warning that floods are possible in low-lying areas, along with washouts nearrivers, creeks and culverts.