'Relatively strong punch': Up to 100 mm of rain expected to fall in B.C.'s Lower Mainland in next atmospheric river
The third atmospheric river in less than a week is expected to hit southern B.C. Tuesday, Environment Canada is warning, with strong winds and more flooding possible.
The region has already endured two atmospheric rivers in recent days, though officials have warned the third could be the worst yet.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement ahead of the heavy rain, which is expected to arrive Tuesday and last through Wednesday. Between 50 to 100 millimetres is predicted to fall in parts of the Lower Mainland and winds gusting up to 60 km/h are also expected.
Some areas on Vancouver Island could see as much as 200 millimetres fall, however.
Environment Canada's warning preparedness meteorologist Armel Castellan said in an update Monday that Tuesday's storm "will deliver a relatively strong punch," with rainfall similar to what was recorded over the weekend. As well, freezing levels on the mountains are expected to rise even more.
"It's not just a rain event, it's not just a snow melting event, it's also a successive storm event," Castellan said.
"Even if the third storm is not as bad as it could have been in the modelling leading up to today, it will be problematic because they are coming so close back to back with the runoff and the saturated soil."
Risk of increased flooding is already an issue, with flood warnings and watches already in place. As of Monday morning, the Tulameen, Coldwater and Lower Nicola rivers were under flood warning. A flood watch was in place for the Similkameen River.
The River Forecast Centre said in a statement Sunday night that significant rainfall impacting the Fraser Valley spilled over the Cascade and Coast mountains into Interior watersheds.
"Temperatures increased during the storm event and likely contributed to snowmelt at mid‐elevations and rain‐on‐snow runoff," the centre's summary of the current flooding situation says. "Rivers have risen quickly but are not expected to reach the levels from the Nov. 13 to 15 event, although they still may cause significant flooding."
But conditions could worsen in the days ahead.
"Currently, the weather models display significant uncertainty in total precipitation for the third event for the central region," the centre's flood summary says. "The risk remains for significant flooding under the wettest weather model scenario."
Late last week, Environment Canada issued an unprecedented "red alert" for parts of the province already devastated by the storm that saturated the ground earlier this month.
"This alert, it's really due to the vulnerabilities that are on the ground, particularly in the Fraser Valley," Castellan said last week, adding that the ground "is completely saturated."
"We hope that everybody is prepared, feeling ready, doing as much as they can in anticipation of this extraordinary set of storms that is affecting the South Coast."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Ian Holliday and Kendra Mangione
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.
Toronto's police chief clarifies initial statement on Umar Zameer acquittal, says he 'accepts' jury's finding
Toronto's Chief of Police has clarified a statement that he'd hoped for "a different outcome" made just after Umar's Zameer acquittal, telling reporters Tuesday he supports and accepts the jury's finding in the five-week trial.