It’s about to get really wet across much of B.C. thanks to a prolonged atmospheric river.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an orange warning for rainfall in parts of Metro Vancouver. The Fraser Valley Regional District has also issued a state of local emergency for Electoral Area E, which is southeast of the Chilliwack area.
While there’s a chance ECCC’s rainfall warning could be expanded, right now it has been issued for Metro Vancouver, northeast, including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.
The warning calls for periods of heavy rain on Friday due to a prolonged atmospheric river event.
ECCC expects 80 to 130 mm of rain in Metro Vancouver by Friday and other impacts due to the atmospheric river. Those impacts included prolonged heavy rain or snow combined with mountain snow melt, which could lead to enhanced responses in river systems and potential for flooding.
ECCC also warns that water pooling may occur on roads, along with washouts, and an enhanced risk of landslides due to saturation of landscapes.
“The heaviest rainfall is expected tonight into Friday morning,” ECCC says.
“Heavy rain will begin to taper off midday Friday as a cold front sweeps across the Lower Mainland. Freezing levels will also lower to 500 to 1000 metres by Saturday,” it adds.
ECCC also warns that travel delays and or cancellations are likely and warns drivers not to drive through flooded roadways.
“Rainfall warnings are issued when significant impacts are expected due to rainfall amounts,” ECCC says.
You can read more about the Fraser Valley state of emergency on the alertable website.
In Vancouver proper, the ECCC forecast predicts a mostly wet week filled with rain and chances of showers, with the potential for a sunny break this weekend on Saturday with a high of 10˚C.
ECCC
We’ll update this story if ECCC revises its warning.