Long weekend plans in B.C. saturated by potential flooding rains
It’s a weekend washout for British Columbia's South Coast as rounds of heavy rainfall continue through Sunday.
The first long weekend of the spring won't be pleasant weather-wise for B.C., as a parade of moisture will keep the South Coast pretty saturated for most of it.
An abundant amount of rainfall is bringing an elevated risk for localized flooding in spots, as well as an increased avalanche threat as freezing levels rise.
DON’T MISS: Here’s what you need to survive mud season with your pets
A second push of precipitation arrived to the South Coast into Saturday morning, with the heaviest rain set to come Saturday overnight into Sunday morning as a front sweeps the area.
The rainfall will continue throughout the majority of the day on Saturday, just in time for the next front to roll in on Sunday morning - packing an even bigger punch.
The rainfall will grow heavy at times on Sunday afternoon, with precipitation then subsiding by the overnight period.
The bouts of rain will add to what we’ve already seen since Thursday. Final storm rainfall accumulations could push 200+ mm for the highest terrain.
Wind gusts could exceed 70 km/h in along exposed coastal sections as the front pushes through on Sunday. Power outages and ferry delays are quite likely, so be sure to plan ahead and adjust plans accordingly.
DON’T MISS: Allergy season is coming. Get ahead of it with these must-haves
B.C.’s River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for Vancouver Island and the South Coast in anticipation of the persistent heavy rainfall. “Current forecasts are indicating the potential for localized flooding in low-lying areas,” the agency said in its advisory.
This push of Pacific moisture will also bring rising freezing levels this weekend, raising the avalanche danger across B.C. Parts of the South Coast will face a high avalanche danger on Saturday, with a moderate danger for the Interior ranges. Anyone venturing into the mountains is urged to use extra caution.
Temperatures will remain slightly below seasonal this weekend, with sunshine returning by mid-next week. Looking ahead, temperatures will remain cooler than normal through mid-month.
Check back for the latest on the heavy rain moving into British Columbia this weekend.