Relentless atmospheric rivers, 300 mm rains raise flood risk in B.C.
A parade of storms is bringing a substantial amount of rain to B.C. this week, elevating the flood threat, as some areas could see 100-300+mm
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.
SEE ALSO: What this record-breaking jet stream may mean for Canada's winter
Through 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 warnings and watches, and high streamflow advisories, have been issued for coastal and inland areas from the B.C. River Forecast Centre as a result.
Evacuation alert issued for Pemberton, B.C.
Due to high river flows and significant precipitation that may result in flooding, the Village of Pemberton has issued an evacuation alert for properties within the Airport Road area.
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 began Tuesday and is expected to last through Wednesday, with the rain also lingering 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.
DON'T MISS: Extreme temperature anomaly set to build over Northern Canada
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.
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 B.C.’s coast late into the weekend.
Into Saturday, remnants of the typhoon will be transported to the shoreline of B.C. That wil pack a punch with the rainfall, but the winds will be more impactful.
Winds along Vancouver Island and Central Coast may be as high as 100 km/h, while the Strait of Georgia sees gusts between 60-80 km/h.
Additionally, wave heights can be as high as 10 metres offshore, so expect ferry delays and/or cancellations.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across British Columbia.