Flooding blankets much of British Columbia’s coast as storm approaches

Forecasters have raised their warnings about an atmospheric river system expected to hit coastal British Columbia on Friday, bringing potential flooding, heavy rain and strong winds.

British Columbia’s River Forecast Center issued a flood warning for the south and central coasts, while Environment Canada upgraded its special weather statement over the region to a rain warning, mountainous areas of the island of Vancouver expected to receive more than 200 millimeters of precipitation.

The weather agency says the atmospheric river system will arrive early Friday and persist through Saturday’s provincial election day in places like Metro Vancouver, Whistler and most of Vancouver Island.

The north and central coasts, from Bella Bella to Haida Gwaii, are also under a wind warning, with gusts reaching 110 kilometers per hour.

The River Forecast Center says a high flow advisory is in effect for the North Coast, Upper Fraser and Thompson areas.

Environment Canada has issued the first snowfall warnings of the season along the British Columbia-Yukon border, with accumulations of up to 20 centimeters expected in some areas.

The weather office says snow will spread across southwest Yukon through Saturday.

It says 10 centimeters of snow is expected in most areas, but predicts up to 25 centimeters in Swift River.

It says an Arctic ridge of high pressure will clear skies on Sunday and temperatures will drop to around -20 degrees Celsius by Monday.

Environment Canada says the “first substantial snowfall” is also expected south of the border, at Fort Nelson, British Columbia, starting Friday.

A height of around 10 centimeters is expected in most areas, but there could be more than 20 centimeters near the border.

The weather bureau is warning drivers of poor visibility Friday evening due to drifting snow.

It says the Trans-Canada Highway near Rogers Pass could also “experience wet snow Friday afternoon before it quickly changes to rain as the weather system brings mild air.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 17, 2024.