MERRITT — A storm bringing heavy rain and snow has prompted warnings from the province, Environment Canada and the B-C River Forecast Centre.

The B-C government issued an advisory as an atmospheric river moved in, asking people to be prepared and vigilant.

Environment Canada says the storm will bring anywhere from 70 to 150 millimetres of rain to Vancouver Island and coastal and southern B-C, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

The B-C River Forecast Centre has issued flood watches on south coast rivers and high streamflow advisories for Vancouver Island. Included in the flood watch were the Tulameen, Coldwater, Nicola, West and East Kootenay and Elk rivers.

Despite Coldwater river being on flood watch no major flooding is expected, the rain is forecasted to slow down around noon.

Here is an image from Environment Canada showing the slowdown of rainfall as the day goes on:

Monitor the latest alerts at BC Flood Warning & Advisory.