Batten down the hatches, and prepare your Netflix playlist, it’s going to be a soggy weekend.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for east Vancouver Island. Heavy rain is expected throughout the weekend.
“A major change in the weather pattern is in the works. The high pressure system that has trapped wildfire smoke over Southern B.C. will finally shift east thanks to a pair of incoming storms,” said the warning. “The storms will merge two jet streams into a single river of sub-tropical moisture that will bathe the South Coast with the first significant rainfall in months.”
Anywhere between 80 and 120 of rain will fall over the South Coast between Friday night and Monday morning.
Flash flooding is a risk, according to Environment Canada, because the drought conditions over the past few months have reduced the soil’s capacity to absorb water.
“To mitigate the risk of flash flooding, make sure drain spouts and sewer covers are free of debris, so water can freely drain. During heavy rains, avoid roadway underpasses, drainage ditches, low lying areas and water collection areas,” said the warning. “They can unexpectedly flood or overflow. Do not try to drive across a flooded road. You cannot tell the condition of the road under the water.”
Visit www.weather.gc.ca to monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada.
