Heavy rain and snow forecasted for British Columbia

Heavy rain and snow are expected in British Columbia as a series of powerful storms move in. This weather pattern is predicted to last until the end of March. The storms will bring rain totals well above normal in the South Coast area. They will also create significant snowfall in the mountains, helping to address existing snow deficits. The storms will pose some risks. There is an increased possibility of localized flooding and avalanches. Travel could be affected due to strong winds that may also cause power outages. People are advised to check highway conditions and local weather alerts before traveling. The first storm front will hit the coast on Wednesday. It may leave some areas, like parts of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, in a rain shadow. However, strong winds are expected, with gusts reaching 50 to 60 km/h. This could lead to delays for ferries and disruptions in power supply. The heaviest rainfall from this system will occur across the South Coast and Sunshine Coast on Wednesday afternoon and evening. A second storm front will follow closely on Thursday, bringing even more rain. Combined, these systems could deliver 30 to 50 mm of rain in the Lower Mainland and over 100 mm on the west side of Vancouver Island. In the mountains, snow levels will be low, and up to 50 cm of snow is expected to accumulate. Another round of precipitation is forecast for Sunday, with the possibility of an atmospheric river by Monday. As temperatures begin to rise early next week, this may increase flood risks due to melting snow alongside continued rainfall.