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Atmospheric River Drenches B.C. Coast as Flood Watches Expand

Rising freezing levels are triggering rain-on-snow runoff that could rapidly raise rivers.

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A DriveBC highway camera shows snow on Highway 19 north of Campbell River Sunday, March 15, 2026. (DriveBC)
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Overview

  • Environment Canada has rainfall warnings for Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast with 90 to 120 millimetres expected by Wednesday.
  • West and inland Vancouver Island are forecast to receive 100 to 150 millimetres with localized mountain pockets potentially nearing 200 to 250 millimetres.
  • The B.C. River Forecast Centre has flood watches for northern and eastern Vancouver Island and the Central Coast, with high streamflow advisories for the South Coast, North Coast and Upper Fraser.
  • Forecasters say the heaviest precipitation arrives Monday into Monday night before easing by Wednesday, as freezing levels climb and accelerate runoff.
  • Wind warnings call for gusts up to 110 km/h on parts of Vancouver Island, Avalanche Canada reports high danger in alpine and treeline zones, and Sea to Sky faces up to 20 cm of snow before a shift to heavy rain and deteriorating travel.