300+mm: Series of storms will bring another deluge, flood risk to B.C.
British Columbia's South Coast could see another 100-300+ mm rainfall and bout of blustery wind gusts as new systems target the region through the midweek, likely to result in additional flooding, power outages and travel delays
It was a rough weekend across British Columbia, as multiple stormy systems brought heavy rains and strong winds, causing ferry cancellations and a landslide. Unfortunately, the week ahead isn't forecast to be much better.
A powerful windstorm also hit the province early Sunday, knocking out power for tens of thousands of BC Hydro customers.
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Between Tuesday and Thursday, forecasters will be closely watching as the rain dramatically picks up, thanks to yet another atmospheric river event accompanied by several slow-moving frontal systems.
Flood watches have been issued for much of the coastal region from the B.C. River Forecast Centre in anticipation of the impending rainfall.
Strong atmospheric river brings additional 300+ mm of rain to B.C. coast
This next atmospheric river is forecast to be a strong one, rated AR-4, which means we will see prolonged heavy rains and impacts to the already-soaked West Coast.
Heavy rainfall is expected to begin by Tuesday afternoon and last through Wednesday, with lingering rain throughout the rest of the week. Embedded thunderstorms have the chance to bring total rainfall in some areas even higher across the two days.
Western Vancouver Island and the North Shore will especially feel the brunt of the rainfall, with 200-300+ mm of rainfall possible. East Vancouver Island won't be spared either, with 100-200 mm of rainfall possible.
The rest of the Lower Mainland could see 50-100+ mm of rainfall by Wednesday.
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The wind will also once again pick up, gusting to 60-70+ km/h along the coast and into the Strait of Georgia. Slightly lower gusts of 40-60 km/h are forecast for the Greater Victoria region, Tsawassen, and the North Shore.
Possibility of a rainfall warning being issued Tuesday as the system could bring localized flooding and more power outages.
Rivers are expected to rise rapidly in response to the rainfall, with high tides and storm surge adding to the flood risk. The risk from high tides in particular will pose a vulnerability to the rivers on eastern Vancouver Island on Wednesday.
Week may end on another stormy note
Looking ahead, forecasters are watching a concerningly strong low-pressure system over Alaska that is expected to sink south into the South Coast by Friday. This could bring even more moisture and another wind event to the region for the weekend.
Freezing levels are also forecast to fall back to around 1,200 metres by the weekend, which could result in significant alpine snow impacting travel through the mountain passes.
Forecasters are also watching Typhoon Chempaka, which is currently recurving across the Pacific Ocean. The energy from the tropical storm could reach BC’s coast late into the weekend.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across British Columbia.