Key takeaways:
- Another atmospheric river is barreling into British Columbia, causing new rain and flooding fears.
- For the North Coast region, the B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning.
Another atmospheric river is barreling into British Columbia, raising new concerns about rain and possible flooding on the province’s north and south coasts.
As the system brings tropical moisture to the area, Environment Canada has issued a plethora of winter storm, wind, and rain warnings, as well as special weather statements for Haida Gwaii and the North and Central Coasts.
It reported 40 to 50 millimeters of rain had already fallen in the Kitimat area by Sunday afternoon, with another 20 to 30 millimeters expected. The worst rain is forecast to end overnight in the north.
Inland sections of the North Coast, such as Stewart, B.C., saw more wintery conditions by late Sunday, with up to 30 cm of snow accumulating.
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Overnight, warmer air was expected to bring heavy rain, which could be combined with snow.
“As the rain continues to fall, the snow will melt, and drainage systems may become clogged or overloaded,” Environment Canada warned.
“Flooding could be localized or even widespread.” Landslides may occur.”
For the North Coast region, the B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning.
By late Sunday evening, strong winds of up to 90 km/h with gusts of up to 110 km/h were expected to impact the region before easing off Monday morning.
The storm is supposed to diminish as it moves south, perhaps bringing more rain to British Columbia’s already-flooded and landslide-ravaged southwest.
According to Global BC meteorologist Yvonne Schalle, rainfall in the range of 15 to 20 millimeters was anticipated for the South Coast on Monday, with more major precipitation on the way by Wednesday and Thursday.
Crews aided by the Canadian military have been working around the clock in Abbotsford to fix damaged dikes, rebuild roads, and drain floodwaters from a crucial agricultural sector.
“Rain will fall in waves throughout the week.” The next major storm, which we’re keeping an eye on, is expected to hit on Thursday,” Schalle added.
“It’s still a few days away, but we might expect 50-60 millimeters of rain from Thursday into Friday,” says the forecaster. Please be prepared for additional rain this week, possibly a substantial quantity.”
Mayor Henry Braun of Abbotsford announced Sunday afternoon that the city had made significant progress battling the flood, including shutting all major breaches in the Sumas Prairie dikes and activating floodgates at the Barrowtown pump station.
He added that water from Washington state’s flooded Nooksack River had stopped flowing north across the border into Abbotsford, but things might be changed if the region is struck hard by more rain this week.
“If 100 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours, that’s an issue, a tremendous one,” Braun added, “because the water will flood back across the border.”
A technical briefing for the media on “major weather” approaching the province has been set for 12:30 p.m. Monday by Environment Canada.
Source: Global News
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