Weekend atmospheric river aims for B.C. amid ongoing flooding
Flood-prone areas across B.C. could see additional issues this weekend as a fresh atmospheric river moves into the region
Another atmospheric river aiming for the West Coast late this weekend will provide little time to recover from this week’s flooding across portions of British Columbia.
Some communities in southern B.C. are dealing with flood warnings, evacuation orders, and evacuation alerts as waterways continue to rise throughout the region.
Residents are advised to stay alert of rapidly changing conditions and heed the advice and orders of local officials.
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Next atmospheric river arrives in B.C. this weekend
We’re in a brief respite from the heavy rainfall right now, but plenty more is on the way in the coming days.
Showers will move across the South Coast through the day Friday ahead of heavier rain that’s expected to arrive late Saturday. Precipitation will grow even heavier through the day Sunday.
Forecasters are closely watching a strong plume of moisture originating near the Hawaiian Islands that will push into the West Coast on Sunday and Monday. This type of atmospheric river is commonly called a Pineapple Express.
This new arrival is forecast to be a strong AR-3 to AR-4 for the B.C. South Coast and Washington. For context, the region’s most recent atmospheric river was also rated AR-3 to AR-4.
High rainfall rates over areas already dealing with floods
Given the influence of this approaching atmospheric river, it’s likely that Sunday and Monday will bring the highest rainfall rates and totals to the region.
Two-day totals across the Lower Mainland will range from 80 mm on the coast to 150 mm in the Fraser Valley and the Coast Mountains.
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Additionally, totals on the order of 80-100+ mm are possible down in Washington, whose streams and rivers run north into B.C. This could bring further flood impacts to areas already experiencing flooding issues in the Fraser Valley.
Temperatures running as much as five degrees above seasonal will contribute to melting mountain snow, adding runoff to waterways that are already swollen from the excess precipitation of late.
A significant avalanche threat will persist across higher elevations as freezing levels climb near 2000m into this weekend, which will further destabilize the region’s snowpack.