Atmospheric river brings days of rain to B.C., flooding possible
Heavy rain over the next couple of days will lead to localized flooding across B.C.’s South Coast, while significant ice accretion is possible for some areas.
Travellers across British Columbia could face more delays over the next couple of days as an atmospheric river washes over the West Coast.
Several waves of heavy rain will continue drenching Vancouver Island and the South Coast through the beginning of the week, potentially leading to localized flooding.
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Steady rain pushing across B.C.’s South Coast will make for a soggy drive for anyone travelling throughout the region on Boxing Day.
Widespread heavy rainfall will move over Vancouver Island and the South Coast overnight Sunday into Monday, with heavy snowfall blanketing the South Coast’s highest elevations.
The precipitation will ease through the day Monday before picking up again during the overnight hours as a low-pressure system pushes into the province from south of the border. Steady rainfall—heavy at times—will continue through Tuesday night.
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Between the rain that’s fallen and the rain that’s yet to come, Vancouver could rack up more than 100 mm of rain by the middle of the week.
This much rain falling on the region’s fresh snowpack will lead to a threat for localized flooding across the South Coast, especially in areas where storm drains remain clogged by snow and ice from last week’s wintry weather.
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Despite the arrival of warmer air, there’s still enough cool air clinging to the Fraser Valley to create additional freezing rain through Monday morning.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued freezing rain warnings for parts of the Fraser Valley into early Monday as the threat for continued ice accretion will lead to hazardous travel and the risk for tree damage and power outages.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” ECCC said in its warning.
Cooler air away from the coast will bring steady snows to B.C.’s Interior over the next couple of days.
Forecasters expect B.C.’s soggy and unsettled pattern to continue into the beginning of the new year.
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Check back for the latest details on conditions across British Columbia.
