Mountain Weather Forecast

As the leading frontal system moves over northern Vancouver Island this morning, an atmospheric river has setup to bring subtropical moisture to the South Coast. The atmospheric river will hover over Vancouver Island for two days, bringing copious amounts of rain to the region. Total amount of 75 to 150mm of rain can be expected across Vancouver Island and areas from Powell River to Howe Sound and to Mission. Higher amounts over the southwest facing slopes. The freezing levels will also be lifted to near 2500m today and remain high through Saturday. The front will eventually weaken on Sunday and dissipate on Monday.

Some moisture will extend to Columbia and Cariboo regions spreading moderate rain and high freezing level to the area. Total amounts of 20 to 50mm can be expected from today to Sunday.

Showers from the system can spread northwards over Terrace and Smithers to MacKenzie area today and Saturday. Dry and colder than normal conditions are expected north of the region including Yukon Territory.

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The animation of 500mb chart shows that the narrow atmospheric river extends from northern central Pacific all the way to Vancouver Island, moisture is sourced from subtropical Pacific Ocean and conveyed by the river to the South Coast. The waves along the atmospheric river help keep its position for the next two days.

Finally an upper low over the Gulf of Alaska will dig south and reach the coast of northern California Sunday afternoon, cutting off the moisture towards the South Coast and the front will gradually weaken on Sunday and dissipate on Monday.