Sunday, June 5, 2022, 12:24 p.m .: Stay alert for flooding throughout BC Sunday, as constant rain and rapid melting snow cause a rapid rise in water levels.
The threat of flooding keeps several BC communities on high alert, with rain continuing until Sunday. Flood warnings and high-flow warnings remain in place. In addition, on Sunday there is a general risk of non-severe storms for parts of the south and north coasts of BC with a top trough hovering over the province. Some areas could still see 20-40mm of rain before it decreases on Tuesday. Less than a week into the month, June could end up being the rainiest June for BC in a decade. More on what to expect on Sunday and beyond, below.
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SUNDAY / MONDAY: MAXIMUM WARNING FOR FLOOD THREAT As RAIN CONTINUES
The current widespread threat of flooding across BC involves a number of factors, such as a long rainy season, a deeper than average snow cover for June, and warmer temperatures that will constantly melt this excess snow. .
A low-pressure system that moved to BC from the south is allowing a stream of atmospheric moisture to invade the province.
Heavy rains continue early Sunday morning, especially in the Lower Mainland, and then isolate on Sunday afternoon.
Widespread instability will flow across BC with the upper trough in place, leading to a far-reaching risk of storms on Sunday that will extend from the Lower Mainland to the north of BC. Scattered storms are possible, with the strongest storms that can produce small hailstorms and localized. floods due to heavy rains.
There is generally between 20 and 40 mm of rain for the Vancouver Metro area, which will end on Monday. An additional 20-40 mm is also planned for the west of Vancouver Island and the north coast.
However, the greatest concern for flooding lies further inland towards the Okanagan, where flood surveillance is currently underway in areas including the communities of Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and the surrounding area. There are also high flow warnings for some.
The combination of rain, warmer temperatures, and rapid melting snow will quickly propel local waterways out of their shores.
Scattered rains will remain on Monday, and will decrease on Tuesday.
JUNE IS POTENTIALLY THE MOST HUMILIATED IN A DECADE
Some parallels are beginning to develop in British Columbia, especially in 2012. That year it featured a weakened La Niña, but this year’s moderate Niña is guiding the province to the wettest June in a decade. In June 2012, there was more than 60 mm of rainfall in Nanaimo, 44 mm in Victoria and 77 mm in Vancouver and Comox Valley.
In just the first four days of June, we will start very wet along the south coast. Several seasons may exceed 100mm of rainfall this month, making it the wettest June since 2012.