Third atmospheric river in a week brings more rain to already-drenched B.C.

B.C.’s South Coast is getting yet another drenching, with another atmospheric river moving through the region, weeks after devastating floods hit parts of the Lower Mainland and Interior.

Meteorologist Michael Kuss says there was some light rain to start the day Tuesday.

“The secondary piece of good news is we’re not going to see substantial downpours for long stretches. What we will see is steady light-to-moderate rain really throughout the day into the evening,” he said Tuesday.

Latest model projections for rainfall over the next 40 hours through the end of the storm. 30-60 mm for S and Eastern parts of the area. Central and North in the 50-90 mm range. #BCStorm @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/YxuE3sNfno

— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) November 30, 2021

The rain is expected to taper off overnight, but will linger through Wednesday.

“It’s a long-lasting event which is a little bit better for the flow and for our watershed, but it’s still a fair amount of water, especially in northern parts of the area where we will be into that 60 to 100-millimetre range. Northern parts of Metro Vancouver, downtown, and north, and then out to the Tri-Cities as well. The farther south you go, the rainfall amounts go down,” Kuss added.

The Fraser Valley, which continues to deal with floods that have stretched from more than two weeks ago, isn’t expecting quite as much rain, Kuss notes, though he says there is still a substantial amount in the forecast. Thirty to 50 millimetres are expected in the Fraser Valley through this atmospheric river.

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During a media conference Tuesday, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said this storm may not have the same level as intensity “but the cumulative effect of this succession of storms will be and continues to be a major challenge.”

Farnworth added the area of primary concern appears to be the central coast as avalanche teams head to Highway 20 after the slides the province saw recently.

Farnworth is also urging people in the province to follow evacuation orders if declared in the area they are living in.

“Follow all instructions,” he said. “The local officials on the ground have the best understanding of site-specific conditions and how to safely respond. And if you’re unable to evacuate on your own, call 911 and report your location immediately.”

In the meantime, he recommended British Columbians prepare for the storm and avoid non-essential trave.

Meanwhile, there is a warning that the Nooksack River just across the border could once again overtop the dikes.

Parts of Vancouver Island are also in for a drenching.

“Heavy amounts of rain on the west side of the Island where we’re looking at 100 to 200 millimetres for Vancouver Island west,” he explained.

A couple of Metro Vancouver towns have been doing their best to brace for today’s atmospheric river.

Maple Ridge is warning residents south of the Allouette reservoir to prepare for potential flooding.

Meantime in Delta, crews were working overnight to ensure they’re ready for the rain.

The pump station has been inspected and is expected to hold up Tuesday.

The city has also made sandbags available to residents just in case.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the Lower Mainland region, noting the third atmospheric river to hit in just under a week could bring heavy downpours at times which could trigger flash floods and pooling on roadways.

Rain is set to intensify on Wednesday, but taper off later in the day.

– With files from Greg Bowman and Nikitha Martins