Atmospheric River: Very heavy rain accumulations expected in southwestern BC.

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The rainy episode is expected to last from Saturday to Wednesday. (Archive photo)

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Environment Canada predicts that an atmospheric river will sweep across the south coast of British Columbia from Saturday to Wednesday. It could cause flooding.

Cumulative precipitation over five days could reach 300 mm in the western part of Vancouver Island and the Coastal Range region, up to 250 mm in the Howe Bay area, 150 mm for 'Interior Vancouver Island, 120 mm in the Fraser Valley from Abbotsford to Chilliwack, as well as in the Sea-to-Sky Highway area, and those on the north and central coast.

Heavy precipitation, combined with melting mountain snow, can lead to pressure on British Columbia's river systems and potential flooding, the province warns in a news release.

In addition, water-saturated soils, combined with strong winds, can damage trees and cause power outages .

The British Columbia River Control Center has placed all of Vancouver Island, the Howe Sound area, the Sunshine Coast and parts of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley under flood watch.

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The flood watch is the second level of the flood system ;three-level alert from the provincial forecast center. It means that river levels are rising and there may be flooding in areas adjacent to the banks.

High flow advisories (the first of three levels) have been issued for the area extending further east to the Fraser Canyon, as well as for the central coast.

In most affected regions, maximum river levels should be reached from Sunday to Tuesday, and from Tuesday to Thursday for rivers. x27;water fed by the lakes, details the center.

The narrow bands of heavy precipitation that reach British Columbia are also known as atmospheric rivers. They occur frequently in the fall and winter in the province.

British Columbia experienced similar weather conditions in early December, when& #x27;An atmospheric river brought more than 130 mm of rain to parts of Vancouver Island. The Sunshine Coast received more than 100 mm of rain.

In November 2021, a historic atmospheric river swept across British Columbia. The equivalent of almost a month of precipitation fell on the province in less than 48 hours.

With information from The Canadian Press

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