(UPDATE: Dec. 9 @ 1:15 pm) - Environment Canada has upped its rainfall warning for Hwy 3 and added another for the Coquihalla (Hwy 5).
The forecaster is now calling for 70-100 millimetres of rain to hit Hwy 3 between Hope and Princeton. The new warning for Hwy 5 calls for 60-80 mm of rain on that route.
The timeline for the deluge, which Environment Canada says will be the result of an incoming atmospheric river, is tonight through Wednesday evening.
A flood watch remains in place for the Fraser Valley, while Merritt and Princeton are both under high stream flow advisories.
(UPDATE: Dec. 9 @ 12:30 pm) – British Columbia’s River Forecast Centre has issued high stream flow advisories for rivers near Merritt and Princeton.
The centre has also upgraded the Fraser Valley to a flood watch.
The advisories come after Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for the Fraser Valley and coast with the western side of Manning Park included.
Up to 60-80 millimetres of rain could fall between Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
As a result, the Chilliwack River, Skagit River Coquihalla River and Sumas River are under a flood watch, which means river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull.
Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur, the River Forecast Centre said.
Meanwhile, the Tulameen and Coldwater rivers, as well as rivers in the central and south coast, are under a high streamflow advisory.
That means rivers near Merritt and Princeton are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. Some minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible, however.
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(Original story: Dec. 9 @ 9:30 am) – Rain is expected to belt British Columbia’s south coast over a 24-hour span.
“Warm air with the system will cause freezing levels to rise and snowmelt combined with the rain may result in high streamflows and localized flooding,” Environment Canada explains.
While the weather system is expected to primarily affect the coast and Fraser Valley, it will also find its way into the Manning Park area.
As a result, a rainfall warning has been issued for Hwy 3 from Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass, where 60-80 millimetres of rain could fall between Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
The forecaster warns that water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas of the highway. Heavy rain also increases the chance of landslides.
Travellers are being advised that hazardous driving conditions are possible and asked to avoid driving through flooded roadways.
You can get the latest on highway conditions and closures before your trip by visiting the DriveBC website.
