Warm front heads north after Metro drenching

The Pineapple Express weather system that drenched the Vancouver area is now drifting north, leaving localized flooding and warm temperatures in its wake.

A rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver was lifted Saturday afternoon, after up to 98 millimetres of rain pelted parts of the southern coast over the previous 36 hours.

Environment Canada said the front is now moving north toward the central coast, with up to 200 mm of rain expected to fall between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.

Heavy rain caused flooding in many parts of the south coast of B.C. on Friday, including Burnaby, New Westminster, the North Shore and Stanley Park in Vancouver.

At least one charitable organization, the Lookout Society, opened its emergency shelters for the homeless in Burnaby, Surrey and the North Shore.

Greg Pearce of Environment Canada said it’s unlikely Vancouver will break any rainfall records, with only 40 mm falling at the city’s airport.

The hardest-hit area was North Vancouver, where 98 mm fell.

A Pineapple Express results when a strong flow of moist air that originates near Hawaii moves along the western coast of North America, causing heavy downpours.

“It just kind of keeps this strong flow of moist subtropical air pointed right over southern B.C.,” said Pearce. “We’re forecasting near-record temperatures for daytime highs over the next couple days.”

Pearce said there will be low clouds and drizzle over the next few days.

Environment Canada continues to warn central coast residents about possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a flood watch for the Kingcome River in central B.C., which could hit peak levels early Sunday.