Environment Canada is warning of an incoming atmospheric river weather system that will bring “prolonged heavy rain” to British Columbia’s south coast this election weekend.
The weather agency says the “first significant storm of the season” is set to hit around noon Friday and last through Sunday, bringing up to 200 millimetres of rain, and a potentially soaking provincial election day on Saturday.
In a special weather statement, it said the system will affect Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island, bringing up to 70 millimetres of rain in most areas, but up to 100 millimetres along coastal mountains and twice that on parts of the island.
Environment Canada says the heavy rain will be accompanied by strong winds, with gusts reaching 80 kilometres an hour close to the water.
It’s a term that became more widely known after record-setting flooding hit B.C. in November 2021, but as meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe explains, atmospheric rivers are not new to west coast of North America.
The agency is warning residents to beware of swollen rivers and creeks, increased risk of rockfalls and landslides, and power outages due to fallen trees.
It says the rain and wind are expected to ease by Sunday afternoon.