Rain and wind expected to batter Metro Vancouver today

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver. Residents are pictured in a file photo clutching umbrellas. (CTV)

Not only will it pour buckets in Metro Vancouver today, but Mother Nature might rip the umbrella right out of your hand too.

Winds could gust up to 90 kilometres an hour starting this afternoon, Environment Canada is warning residents.

That’s in addition to the 40 to 60 millimetres of rain expected to fall across the region through the afternoon.

The agency said winds might be strong enough to cause damage, so residents might want to stay indoors, monitor weather conditions and listen for updates.

The agency says the early season storm approaching the coast is “entraining moisture from the subtropics” and will drench the area throughout the weekend.

The precipitation isn’t expected to let up for many days.