Risk of flooding in B.C. will continue for the next couple weeks: River Forecast Centre

The B.C. River Forecast Centre says the risk of flooding will continue for the next couple weeks.

David Campbell, head of the River Forecast Centre, said a higher than normal amount of remaining snow means the risk of flooding will continue.

“We’ve seen that continued pattern of elevated snowpack and a delay in (melting) due to the cool weather that we’ve experienced over the last couple of months. Across province we’re looking at about double the normal snowpack that we typically have at this time of year,” Campbell said during a news conference.

“This time of year we typically see about three-quarters of the snow gone. But we are seeing that steady melt, and we’re only but halfway through that upper elevation.”

He listed the Upper Fraser, Caribou Mountains, North Thompson, South Thompson as some of the areas that could be at risk during this time.

“This is going to be the period where we have increased vulnerability around the province, particularly in the bigger rivers draining from the higher terrain.”

Adding, “we’re certainly vulnerable to additional rises, if we get adverse weather over the next week or two.”

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“We also expect, given the delay in snowpack melt this year, that we are going to continue to see elevated streamflow and above normal conditions persisting into July.”

Campbell added that “the hot weather scenario remains a key concern for flood risk” due to the remaining snow.

Armel Castellan, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the possibility of a heat wave will increase as summer advances.

“We don’t see a signature for a big or strong heat event in the next couple of weeks. But the chances of seeing heat in July are obviously increased,” said Castellan.

On Friday the River Forecast Centre upgraded the Peace Region to a flood watch.

“The other point to make here is that we do see a dryer trend kind of evolving for the last couple of weeks of June.”

As well, a flood watch was issued for the Shuswap, North Thompson, Quesnel River/Cariboo Mountains areas.

A high streamflow advisory was also issued for the South Thompson River, Thompson River and Nicola areas.

Flood warnings and advisories can be checked on the River Forecast Centre website.