British Columbia's The storm parade will continue on Sunday following a short pause on Saturday, remaining in place. And as we kick off the new workweek, the province will remain ensnared in a persistently damp and dynamic weather system.
A Category 2 or 3 atmospheric river is expected to affect the B.C. coastline on Sunday, likely bringing over 100 mm of rain and between 50-75 cm of snow at higher elevations. The continuous precipitation will start early Sunday and persist with minimal interruptions until late Monday evening, lasting approximately 36 hours.
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Due to the consecutive periods of intense rainfall, there is an increased likelihood of localized flooding. avalanche dangers , along with possible disruptions to travel.
To absorb the news of the impending, foul weather, there is warmth on the way, with the potential for someone in the province to lock down its first 20-degree reading this year.
An atmospheric river hits the South Coast on Sunday
A chilly air mass will move along the Pacific coastline and come to a halt over southwestern British Columbia on Sunday, setting the stage for an atmospheric river to hit the South Coast.
Even though this atmospheric river will carry substantial moisture, it’s not exceptionally intense, nor will it linger over any particular area along the coastline long enough to cause severe flooding.
Up to 50-75 centimeters of snow may accumulate at elevations over 1,200 meters due to this weather system, though forecasts suggest that freezing levels might climb as high as 3,000 meters when temperatures start increasing early next week. We'll be closely monitoring alpine rivers because they're expected to swell significantly from the initial substantial melting of seasonal mountain snowpack.
There is heightened avalanche risk due to thick, moist snow and increasing thaw lines on Sunday evening. An exceptional avalanche warning has been issued. impact on the central Rockies including Kootenay National Park.
However, there is positive news amid the snowfall. The snowpack is getting close to typical levels for parts of the South Coast and Vancouver Island by late March. Following a dry beginning to the year, precipitation figures have been nearly average throughout March for the South Coast.
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With increasing temperatures and higher freezing elevations, Port Renfrew and the west coast of Vancouver Island might experience precipitation ranging from 100 to 150 millimeters. In contrast, North and West Vancouver may receive approximately 100 millimeters of rain.
People might encounter water accumulation, puddles, and an increased chance of hydroplaning during intense rainfalls. Rapidly flowing streams and rivers pose additional risks; therefore, individuals should maintain a safe distance from river edges.
Fortunately, the mercury is anticipated to drop starting Thursday, reducing the freezing level and halting additional thawing.
The first day forecasted to reach 20 degrees coming up?
As of 2025, Kamloops has recorded the highest daytime temperature at 17.4°C, closely followed by Abbotsford which reached 16.9°C.
As the temperatures and freeze lines are expected to increase early in the week, we might see British Columbia’s first 20°C day of the year by Tuesday.
Nevertheless, numerous people throughout the Lower Mainland are expected to experience their highest temperatures yet this year. This includes Vancouver, where the peak temperature until now has been 14.9°C, with forecasts predicting a high of 19°C for Wednesday.
Follow The Weather Network for additional forecast updates and details about the conditions in your B.C. area.
