The Fraser Valley Braces for More Rain: What to Expect
Residents of the Fraser Valley should gear up for another round of wet weather this weekend, with a significant weather system expected to sweep through early next week, as per Brian Proctor, a meteorologist from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The current frontal system hugging the southern regions of B.C. is on the move northwards, poised to bring additional rainfall to areas already grappling with flooding issues.
Proctor, speaking to 1130 NewsRadio, warns of yet another atmospheric river making its way towards the region, albeit not as intense as the recent one that hit on Wednesday.
Anticipate another 10 to 20 millimetres of rain overnight, Proctor mentioned on Friday afternoon, with a potential break in the downpour come Saturday.
“We might just catch a glimpse of blue skies on Saturday afternoon,” he added optimistically.
However, brace for the system to ramp up again by Saturday evening, persisting into Sunday.
Reflecting on the current weather impact, Proctor notes that while this week’s conditions have been challenging, they pale in comparison to the atmospheric river event of 2021.
Fortunately, the worst effects of Wednesday’s atmospheric river were mostly felt in Washington state, sparing southern British Columbia from the brunt of it, Proctor explained.
Although this week’s rainfall has been substantial, particularly affecting areas like Chilliwack Mountain, Cultus Lake, and Hope, the devastation seen in 2021 extended from Pemberton down to the South Coast.
Looking ahead, Proctor predicts the heaviest rainfall over the weekend will likely hit the eastern parts of the Fraser Valley towards Hope, with Abbotsford potentially experiencing a slightly lesser impact.
Given the ongoing risks posed by heavy rains, especially in terms of riverbank failures, Proctor stresses the importance of heeding emergency measures and evacuation alerts.
“It’s crucial to follow the guidance provided by emergency officials,” he emphasizes.
Keyphrase: Fraser Valley rain forecast