Another day, another weather warning.
Vancouver Island residents are being urged to brace for heavy rainfall this week as a Pacific frontal system moves across the region, bringing significant precipitation and increasing the risk of localized flooding.
Environment Canada has issued warnings for both the eastern and western parts of the island, with rainfall totals expected to vary by area.
The eastern side of Vancouver Island, including the Malahat Highway, communities from Duncan to Fanny Bay, and the Southern Gulf Islands, could see up to 50 mm of rain between Tuesday morning and early Wednesday morning.
The rain, expected to be heaviest during the day, will ease as the system departs on Wednesday.
On the western side of the island, near Port Renfrew, rainfall totals are expected to be even higher, reaching up to 100 mm over the same period.
The conditions in this area are expected to bring similar hazards, including localized flooding and the potential for flash floods. Environment Canada is urging residents to be vigilant, noting that rivers and creeks could rise rapidly due to the combination of rainfall and poor drainage.
The BC River Forecast Centre has also issued a high streamflow advisory for both South and West Vancouver Island.
The advisory warns of minor flooding in low-lying areas and heightened safety risks from fast-flowing rivers and creeks. A moisture-laden Pacific storm is driving the rainfall, expected to intensify Tuesday and continue into early Wednesday.
The storm system is bringing elevated freezing levels, which will lead to rainfall and snowmelt in low to mid-elevation areas. This combination is anticipated to cause rivers to respond quickly, with peak flows potentially reaching two- to five-year return levels.
Pre-existing soil moisture from earlier storms this month may also contribute to greater runoff, increasing the likelihood of high flows and localized flooding.
The BC River Forecast Centre says it will monitor conditions.
