‘Prolonged atmospheric river’ to bring heavy rain to B.C. coast | CBC News
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Environment Canada says it’ll be another rainy day for parts of B.C.’s coast on Tuesday.
Rainfall warnings have been announced for several areas, including on Vancouver Island and along the Central Coast, as part of a “prolonged atmospheric river event.”
Environment Canada said total rainfall could reach 200 millimetres on western Vancouver Island between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, and the heavy rain could increase the risks of flooding or landslides.
The weather agency said rain will intensify Tuesday afternoon and become heavy overnight.
Northern sections of inland Vancouver Island could also get total rainfall amounts of up to 150 mm.
Meanwhile, the Central Coast, south of Bella Bella, is expected to get 30 mm of rainfall Tuesday.
“Localized flooding is likely. Some roads may become impassable,” Environment Canada said.
Parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are also under rainfall warnings with up to 100 mm of rain expected in the Valley and up to 120 mm in Metro Vancouver from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.
A special weather statement has been issued for the North Columbia, Kinbasket and West Columbia regions, as well as the Trans Canada Highway (from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass) and the Arrow Lakes, Slocan Lake and Kootenay Lake, where Environment Canada says a mix of snowmelt and rain could lead to flooding in low-lying areas.
Up to 45 mm of rain is expected to fall there by Wednesday afternoon, with more in the forecast from Thursday afternoon to Saturday.
Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky Highway remain under a winter storm warning, and up to 80 mm of rain is expected to fall from Tuesday morning into Wednesday.
Environment Canada said heavy rain on top of fallen snow could lead to flooding.
“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Allow extra time for travel.”