Another storm warning for the South Coast; High Streamflow Advisories in effect

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METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Keep the umbrella handy for the next few days! We’re in for a lot of rain here on the South Coast.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the entire region, with up to 150mm expected.

“It is a broad-brush warning, encompassing not only parts of Metro Vancouver but also into the Fraser Valley, the North Shore, Howe Sound, parts of the Sunshine Coast, and across southern Vancouver Island,” explains NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate.

Read more: Flooding in buildings, with more stormy weather ahead

Russ adds the harder-hit areas will likely be near the mountains. He thinks this intense system will linger for a couple of days.

“It will get blustery at times later today and tonight, but the primary focus of this weather warning is the heavier rainfall,” he tells us.

“It brings along an enhanced risk of localized flooding for parts of the Lower Mainland, but also an unstable snowpack for the North Shore mountains, as the freezing level soars above the peaks. There’s even a risk of patchy freezing rain, followed by heavy runoff a little ways further inland, through those neighbouring mountain passes. I think the downpours continue at times tonight and Wednesday, with total rainfall amounts of 50 to more than 100mm.”

The rain is expected to taper off late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Listen for traffic and weather together every ten minutes on the ones. Follow @NEWS1130Weather for up to the minute information.

High Streamflow Advisories in effect

Dave Campbell at the River Forecast Centre says this latest blast of rain is a bit different that what we saw over the weekend.

“This one is really expected to be quite a bit warmer; it’s tapping into some sub-tropical moisture.”

“We’re expecting to see the potential for some snowmelt at the mid-elevations, where snow has fallen over the last few days. That’s going to come down as extra water to the rivers that run off,” he adds.

The River Forecast Centre has issued High Streamflow Advisories for:

  • Howe Sound including the Stawamus River, Squamish River and tributaries in the Squamish area
  • Sea-to-Sky including the Lillooet River and tributaries in the Whistler and Pemberton area
  • North Short Mountains including the Seymour River and surrounding tributaries
  • Fraser Valley including the Chilliwack River, Coquihalla River and surrounding tributaries

Be careful on the roads!

Meanwhile, BCAA is telling drivers to adapt to the wet conditions.

“In wet weather, the most important thing is: Can you see? Are your wiper blades in good condition? Is your windshield in good shape?” says Jeff Reed with the company.

He adds one simple thing you should be doing is making sure your headlights and tail lights are on.

“If you’re turning your lights on, you know they’re on. A lot of us have that automatic feature in our cars. We can rely on those as little too much.”

For up to the minute traffic updates, you can follow us on Twitter @NEWS1130Traffic or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. You can also listen live to traffic reports every 10 minutes on the ones.

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