Incoming atmospheric river to end B.C.'s impressive fall dry spell
After a dry and record-warm October across British Columbia, an incoming atmospheric river is set to bring rain and alpine snow across the province this week.
It's November, which means British Columbia is in its rainiest month of the year, and the month is forecast to start off strong across the South Coast as widespread rains and alpine snow fall over the region this week and into the weekend.
The Vancouver airport recorded only 38.8 mm of rainfall throughout October--just 32 per cent of the monthly average. That's about to change, though, as Vancouver could see 50-80 mm of rainfall over the coming days thanks to an atmospheric river event.
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Since October was so dry, we could see localized flooding from the sudden deluge, as the ground may be too dry to absorb the rain right away.
Strong winds will also raise the risk of local power outages, high surf, and ferry delays.
First round of rain begins Wednesday
A cold front is forecast to move across B.C.'s South Coast through Wednesday evening and overnight. This round should be lighter, continuing off and on through Thursday in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, while it stays more persistent across Vancouver Island.
Coastal winds will begin to pick up late Thursday through the Strait of Georgia, with gusts up to 40-60 km/h, picking up to 70 km/h over the weekend, as another sharp cold front moves in with the atmospheric river.
Atmospheric river brings drenching rains through the weekend
Persistent rain, alpine snow, and strong winds are expected to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend.
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Late Saturday into Sunday should be when we see the most impacts from the atmospheric river, which is forecast to be AR-3 strength across western Vancouver Island and AR-2 strength for the remainder of the South Coast.
Gusts of 60-90 km/h are possible across western Vancouver Island, but Victoria, Vancouver, and the rest of the Lower Mainland should see slightly weaker gusts of 40-60 km/h.
Looking ahead into the second week of November, another active pattern may shape up, bringing more opportunities for heavy rain across the province.
There is still some uncertainty in the forecast this far out, so forecasters are closely watching for any changes and will update accordingly.
Stay with The Weather Network for more information and updates on your weather across southern B.C.