Environment Canada has forecasted continued rainfall for parts of British Columbia’s coast throughout Tuesday. Rainfall warnings have been issued for multiple regions, including Vancouver Island and the Central Coast, due to an extended atmospheric river event. Anticipated rainfall totals could reach 200 millimeters on the western side of Vancouver Island from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning, heightening the risk of flooding and landslides. Rain intensity is expected to escalate on Tuesday afternoon and persist heavily overnight.
Inland sections of northern Vancouver Island may experience total rainfall amounts of up to 150 mm, while the Central Coast, below Bella Bella, is projected to receive 30 mm of rainfall on Tuesday. Environment Canada has cautioned that localized flooding is probable, and some roads may become impassable.
Additionally, parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are under rainfall warnings, with up to 100 mm of rain anticipated in the Valley and up to 120 mm in Metro Vancouver from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. A special weather statement has been issued for several regions, including North Columbia, Kinbasket, and West Columbia, where a combination of snowmelt and rain could lead to flooding in low-lying areas. Up to 45 mm of rain is predicted by Wednesday afternoon, with further rainfall expected from Thursday afternoon to Saturday.
Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky Highway are under a winter storm warning, with up to 80 mm of rain expected between Tuesday morning and Wednesday. The heavy rainfall following snow accumulation raises concerns for potential flooding. Travelers are advised to prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating travel conditions and allocate extra time for their journeys.
Hydrologist Jonathan Boyd from the province’s River Forecast Centre mentioned that the most severe weather conditions are projected to peak around Thursday or Friday. Boyd highlighted the rarity of an atmospheric river lasting more than three days, with the current event potentially spanning five days of continuous rainfall in some South Coast areas, leading to the possibility of very high stream flows.
Meteorologist Brian Proctor from Environment Canada reported substantial precipitation levels across the province, with the Rivers Inlet area in the Central Coast recording 199.2 mm of precipitation since Sunday night. The rain is expected to gradually diminish in the Central Coast and move southward, primarily affecting the west side of Vancouver Island and potentially the Whistler vicinity. While most parts of Metro Vancouver are not expected to reach rainfall warning thresholds, heightened precipitation is foreseen along the North Shore Mountains and potentially extending into the Fraser Valley.