Atmospheric river will soon run dry in B.C., but warmth fuels thunderstorm risk
The rainfall will finally ease in B.C. by Tuesday, but eyes will turn to Wednesday when a surge of decent warmth will help fuel a thunderstorm chance
A potent atmospheric river has brought some notable, but not extreme, rainfall totals to parts of B.C.
As of Monday evening, some rainfall totals recorded in B.C., include 84 mm in Coquitlam, 72 mm in Port Melon, 57 mm in Squamish, 55 mm in West Vancouver, 44 mm in downtown Vancouver, 46 mm in Victoria and 45 mm in Malahat, among others.
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While the rainfall will wind down by Tuesday morning, a thunderstorm risk will pop up for many on Wednesday as the mercury continues to climb.
With freezing levels set to rise and an inbound push of warmth this week, the risk for localized flooding is heightened due to the rain and expected snowmelt.
Expect there to be travel delays, especially with ponding and pooling on the roads. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
Rain to ease Tuesday, but a thunderstorm risk pops up on Wednesday
This moisture-packed atmospheric river hasn't been particularly extreme, and it won’t stall over a specific part of the coast long enough to trigger a major flooding event. Some pooling and ponding is still possible, however, especially after the periods of heavy rainfall.
The rainfall will ease across the south by Tuesday, with temperatures continuing to warm into Wednesday.
We could end up seeing the first 20-degree day of the season. The best chance will be for areas away from the beaches, with forecasters watching the inland sections of the Lower Mainland, including from Abbotsford to Hope.
Vancouver’s warmest temperature so far this year was a daytime high of 14.9°C. Wednesday could exceed that mark, with a comfortable high of 18°C in the forecast.
Temperatures in the Interior will also hit the mid-teens by Wednesday.
With the warming temperatures comes a chance for thunderstorms, as well, courtesy of the next offshore low moving in. A cool, upper trough promotes elevated convection.
Storms will develop and favour higher terrain, but can become organized and move northward Wednesday overnight from Washington state.
Freezing levels will spike to 3,000 metres Wednesday, leading to rapid alpine snowmelt before freezing levels return to 1,500 metres by Thursday.
Heavy rain is forecast for the Fraser Valley with this next system, with heavy snow returning to the alpine regions and ski areas, as well.
An active storm track will continue into the B.C. coast through the end of March and into early April, with the colder weather also returning as we kick off the new month.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across B.C.