High Streamflow Advisory issued for the South Coast

The River Forecast Centre is issuing a High Streamflow Advisory for the South Coast including:

• Howe Sound including the Squamish River, Stawamus River and surrounding creeks and tributaries.

Residents are urged to use extra caution around all local waterways and tributaries, and keep well back from the river banks - especially with children and pets. A rapid rise of water levels can be expected.

A transition in weather is happening across coastal British Columbia as cold Arctic air is being pushed out by warm, moist air from the Pacific. Heavy rainfall is expected over the next few days, with total rainfall amounts from Monday through Wednesday forecast to reach upwards of 200 mm. In addition to runoff from precipitation, temperatures are expected to rise, with freezing levels reaching up to mountain-top level or above. Melt of low-to-mid elevation snow is expected over the next few days, adding additional runoff to rivers.

High streamflow is expected on rivers throughout the region, with the highest flows expected Tuesday into Wednesday.

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will update the advisory as conditions warrant. 

January 16, 2017