Atmospheric river in Vancouver: Power outages, heavy rain

Atmosphere Canada has issued a particular climate assertion for Metro Vancouver forward of the arrival of an atmospheric river.

Extended heavy rain is predicted to drench Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast, Whistler, and the Howe Sound beginning Friday, Oct. 18 afternoon and persevering with by Sunday morning. 

Metro Vancouverites woke as much as bluebird skies Thursday morning. Nonetheless, an atmospheric river is predicted to carry rainfall quantities of 40 to 70 mm on the whole as much as 100 mm within the coastal mountains beginning round midday on Friday.

V.I.A.’s Downtown Centre Weatherhood station exhibits as much as 20 mm of rainfall Friday adopted by a jaw-dropping 98 mm Saturday. Sunday’s forecast contains simply over 20 mm of rainfall. 

Whereas atmospheric rivers can wreak devastation, such because the floods of November 2021, most of them aren’t harmful. Additionally they aren’t uncommon, with the Decrease Mainland seeing anyplace from 20 to 30 yearly. 

The 2021 climate occasion additionally included vital snowmelt of at the very least 100 mm on prime of the 250 to 300 mm of rainfall. Present snowpacks aren’t excessive sufficient to provide the identical 2021 impacts, as this occasion is a month forward of the previous occasion. 

Metro Vancouver climate forecast contains atmospheric river 

Atmosphere Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan informed V.I.A. in a earlier interview that situations have been pretty dry for 30 to 45 days, and the hydrological system can soak up extra precipitation than it might if Metro Vancouver had already acquired vital rain this fall.

Whereas the sign is not displaying a robust storm, the primary atmospheric river of the 12 months at all times carries a possible for damaging impacts. 

“Any sturdy atmospheric river may cause issues as a result of the surroundings hasn’t been examined on this manner,” Castellan says. 

Locals ought to brace for water pooling on roads, swollen rivers and creeks, and an elevated threat of washouts, rockfall, and landslides. Forward of the storm, they need to clear drains of leaves and particles and safe unfastened objects.

Sturdy winds gusting as much as 80 km/h can also trigger energy outages from tree injury on Saturday. 

The rain and wind will ease by Sunday afternoon.

Keep up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts throughout 50 neighbourhoods within the Decrease Mainland with V.I.A.’s Weatherhood.