British Columbia’s southern coast is gearing up for the first atmospheric river of the season

BC’s southern coast is expected to experience its first significant rainfall of the season.

Global meteorologist Kristi Gordon said the atmospheric river will likely arrive Friday evening and last until Sunday morning. However, its full power and impact have not yet been determined.

Precipitation amounts can range from 60 to 120 mm in the Lower Mainland and even more in parts of Vancouver Island, Gordon explains.

The expected strength of the atmospheric river, namely the amount of moisture and the duration, could be that between one and three across the Lower MainlandGordon added.

Receive national news daily

Get the day’s top news, political, economic and current headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

One means primarily useful, while three means both useful and dangerous.

The expected strength of the atmospheric river over parts of Vancouver Island could reach level four, meaning mostly dangerous but also beneficial.

Flood warnings and high flow warnings may be issued before the weekend.

“Right now it’s looking real around Vancouver Island, the west side, but also around the south coast, areas around Vancouver and north through the Central Coast,” said Dave Campbell with the BC River Forecast Center.

“Some fringe areas to the north and south of there may also receive heavy rainfall.”

This atmospheric river, even though it peaks at 120mm of rain, is still far less than the nearly 300mm that fell in the Upper Fraser Valley in 2021.

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.