Flood watches for much of B.C. coast as storm approaches

Forecasters have elevated their warnings about an atmospheric river system that’s anticipated to hit coastal British Columbia on Friday, bringing potential flooding, heavy rain and excessive winds.

B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has issued a flood look ahead to the south and central coasts, whereas Surroundings Canada has upgraded its particular climate assertion over the area to a rainfall warning, with mountainous areas of Vancouver Island anticipated to get greater than 200 millimetres of precipitation.

The climate company says the atmospheric river system will arrive early Friday and persist by way of provincial election day on Saturday in locations together with Metro Vancouver, Whistler and virtually all of Vancouver Island.

The north and central coasts from Bella Bella to Haida Gwaii are additionally underneath a wind warning, with gusts anticipated to achieve 110 kilometres an hour.

The River Forecast Centre says a excessive streamflow advisory is in impact for the north coast, higher Fraser and the Thompson areas.

Surroundings Canada issued the primary snowfall warnings of the season alongside the British Columbia and Yukon border, with accumulations as much as 20 centimetres anticipated in some areas.

The climate workplace says the snow will unfold by way of southwestern Yukon till Saturday.

It says 10 centimetres of snow is predicted in most areas, however predicts as much as 25 centimetres in Swift River.

It says an arctic ridge of excessive stress will clear the skies on Sunday and temperatures will fall to about -20 levels Celsius by Monday.

Surroundings Canada says the “first substantial snow” can also be anticipated south of the border in Fort Nelson, B.C., beginning Friday.

It says about 10 centimetres is predicted in most areas, however there may very well be greater than 20 centimetres near the border.

The climate workplace is warning drivers about low visibility Friday evening as a consequence of drifting snow.

It says the Trans-Canada Freeway close to Rogers Move might also “see moist snow Friday afternoon earlier than it rapidly adjustments to rain because the climate system brings in delicate air.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Oct. 17, 2024.