Vancouver, BC, Canada (WNEWS Vancouver) – Starting this weekend and continuing into next week, a series of strong Pacific storms will bring heavy rain and strong winds to British Columbia and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Meteorologists say this is the first major weather event of the autumn season, with the potential for significant rainfall and some early mountain snow.
The first round of rain is expected late Saturday, reaching coastal B.C., Washington, and Oregon. The system will get stronger by Sunday night and Monday, drawing in moisture from the central Pacific. The heaviest rain is likely between Monday and Wednesday, with some coastal areas getting 75 to 125 millimetres, and even more on the west sides of Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains.
Environment Canada and the U.S. National Weather Service are advising residents to prepare for potential flooding, particularly in areas that experienced wildfires this summer. Burn scars and dry soils can increase runoff, raising the risk of flash flooding and landslides. Urban flooding in low-lying neighbourhoods and overwhelmed drainage systems is also a concern.
As colder air moves in after the storms, snow levels should drop sharply by midweek. Meteorologists at OpenSnow say mountain passes in B.C. and Washington could get their first major snowfall of the season, with 15 to 60 centimetres possible depending on elevation. Resorts like Whistler, Mount Baker, and the North Cascades may see an early start to the snowpack season. Drivers should be ready for quickly changing conditions on mountain roads, especially along the Coquihalla and Sea-to-Sky routes.
Strong winds are also expected with these storms. Gusts could reach 70 to 90 km/h along exposed coastal areas and higher ridges, which might bring down branches or cause scattered power outages. BC Hydro and Puget Sound Energy crews are ready to respond, and both utilities are asking customers to have emergency kits prepared in case outages last longer than usual.
Fall storms are common in the Pacific Northwest, but this series is unusual for its timing and strength. Meteorologists say a steady jet stream is pushing one system after another toward the coast, which could mean several days of unsettled weather.
Communities across the Fraser Valley, the North Shore, and Vancouver Island are already preparing by clearing storm drains and checking flood defences. Local governments in Washington and Oregon are issuing similar advisories, warning of possible river rises and advising caution near creeks and coastal areas. The potential for rockslides and debris flows is also being monitored in steep terrain that remains unstable after a dry summer.
While the storms may cause problems, the rain could help refill water reservoirs that have stayed low after one of the driest summers on record. Hydrologists say steady autumn rain is important for rebuilding the region’s snowpack and water supply before winter. Still, too much rain at once can lead to flash flooding and erosion before the ground can soak it up.
This active weather pattern is likely to continue into late next week, with another strong front possibly arriving around October 23 or 24. Forecasters will keep updating rainfall and wind predictions as the storms get closer. The main point is clear: the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia are in for a lot of rain, signalling the return of storm season.
