An atmospheric river weather system has hit much of coastal British Columbia, bringing heavy rain, high winds and the risk of flooding.

An atmospheric river washing over British Columbia this weekend has triggered flooding in some communities across the South Coast. Persistent waves of heavy rainfall, fuelled by a Category 4 atmospheric river, have filled gauges and waterways alike throughout the region.

Heavy rain is expected to reach inland sections of the central coast that will intensify throughout the day before peaking this afternoon, bringing up to 70 millimetres

Global BC meteorologist Kristi Gordon said the atmospheric river is likely to arrive on Friday night and last until Sunday morning.

B.C. residents will need to beware the risk for additional flooding and other potential impacts, including road washouts, rockfalls, and even landslides where the heavier rain continues to fall on Sunday.

Search and rescue crews in B.C.'s Lower Mainland say they are on standby to help with possible evacuations as an atmospheric river makes its way through southwestern B.C. on Saturday. The heavy rainfall has caused widespread power outages and flooding,

The atmospheric river weather system that lashed British Columbia's coast on the day of the provincial election has sent daily rainfall records tumbling.