A weather system known as an atmospheric river is on its way to British Columbia’s South Coast, bringing substantial rainfall to parts of the Lower Mainland. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an orange warning for some areas of the Fraser Valley in anticipation of this storm.
Residents in the central and eastern Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack, Hope, and western sections of Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton, should prepare for rainfall ranging from 70 to 100 millimetres between Tuesday night and Wednesday evening. The warning highlights that the combination of warm air, rising freezing levels, snowmelt, saturated ground, and heavy rainfall may lead to high streamflows and localized flooding.
Metro Vancouver, the western Fraser Valley, and a significant part of the west coast of Vancouver Island are under a yellow warning, with expected rainfall amounts between 50 to 80 mm. Motorists are advised to be cautious as visibility could be reduced at times, and water accumulation on roads and low-lying areas may occur.
A flood watch has been issued by the B.C. River Forecast Centre for lower Fraser River tributaries in the Fraser Valley and the southern Interior, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, the Sumas River, Skagit River, and Coquihalla River. The watch indicates that river levels are increasing, and there is a risk of flooding along riverbanks.
Additionally, a high streamflow advisory is in effect for the central and south coasts, including Howe Sound, North Shore Mountains, Metro Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. Although river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly in these regions, major flooding is not anticipated.
Unusually high rainfall levels, reaching up to 100 millimetres in the last 24 hours, have been reported by the province. People are urged to avoid fast-moving waterways and refrain from driving through flooded roads as river levels are projected to continue rising until Thursday.
Environment Canada recently updated its weather warning system to incorporate a risk-tiered colour-coded system, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of weather impacts and necessary precautions. Yellow alerts indicate hazardous weather with moderate or localized effects, while orange alerts, like the current one, signify a high certainty of severe weather causing widespread damage, disruptions, or health impacts lasting several days. Red alerts are reserved for extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening weather situations.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin emphasized that the new weather warning system aims to enhance Canadians’ preparedness for increasingly frequent and severe weather events. The system’s goal is to provide clear and accurate alerts, enabling individuals to make informed decisions to safeguard themselves, their families, and their property during extreme weather conditions.