There appears to be no break in the onslaught of fall weather for residents of B.C.’s Lower Mainland.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement as another atmospheric river bears down on the region, forecast to deliver between 75 and 150 mm of rain over the weekend.
“A series of moisture laden systems associated with an atmospheric river from the Pacific will begin arriving Saturday evening and bring heavy rain to the South Coast,” Environment Canada said.
“Meanwhile the freezing level will lift to over the mountain tops. Heavy rain in combination with the melting snow can result in high stream levels and local flooding.”
The alert covers Metro Vancouver, the Lower Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and the southern Sunshine Coast.
- Spring snow coming as central Alberta farmers say fields in better shape than recent years
- ‘Hopefully the last of the snow,’ as Toronto prepares for another cold snap
- Nasty Easter weekend weather leads to chaos on roads in Calgary area
- Strong winds forecast for much of B.C. starting Monday: Environment Canada
Atmospheric rivers are weather systems that can carry large amounts of tropical or subtropical moisture in the form of water vapour, later dumping it as rain or snow.
Get daily National news
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North America’s west coast can get between 30 and 50 per cent of its annual precipitation from atmospheric rivers.
The same weather system is expected to bring upwards of 20 cm of snowfall across southern B.C. mountain passes Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Environment Canada has also issued special weather statements for Highway 3, from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass, and the Trans-Canada Highway, from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.