A more active pattern will return to British Columbia’s South Coast region, with an atmospheric river event setting up for this weekend.
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Heavy rain and alpine snow are forecast — all beneficial moisture for the entire province. So far this winter, the majority of B.C. has seen less than 60 per cent of normal precipitation.
Baron – BC precipitation anomaly – Mar6
The wetter-than-normal conditions are expected to continue well into the second half of March, as well, and temperatures will be cold enough to bring some very impressive snow totals for the alpine regions. That means an abundance of snow for ski areas as we head closer to spring.
Saturday through Sunday: Atmospheric river dumps heavy rain over the South Coast
A low pressure system hitting the North Coast will drag a cold front down the coast, stalling over Vancouver Island and portions of the Sea-to-Sky corridor, and providing the path for an atmospheric river this weekend.
Baron – BC upper level pattern this weekend – Mar6
Freezing levels will rise above 1500 m to start the weekend.
Heavy rain will be persistent on both Saturday and Sunday, with significant rainfall totals replacing the recent abundant sunshine.
B.C. Rainfall accumulation through Saturday March 8 2025
Between 40-50 mm of rain is forecast for the Lower Mainland, with as much as 75 mm possible for Metro Vancouver. Victoria will see closer to 10-20 mm fall. Those in Squamish could see as much as 75-100 mm of rain through Sunday.
Freezing levels will fall through Sunday as the atmospheric river slides south. As the the river pushes east, unsettled conditions will linger for the Fraser Valley.
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Meanwhile, alpine snow totals for the coastal mountains could reach as much as 100 cm, with between 30-50 cm forecast for the Rockies.
B.C. Alpine Snow outlook through Sunday
Beware: Increasing avalanche risk this weekend
Avalanche threatscontinue throughout the weekend. A high avalanche danger rating has been issued for Saturday along Vancouver Island’s mountains and the Sea to Sky region. Sunday poses the biggest risk for avalanches in the South Coast inland, Columbia, and Rocky Mountain areas.
B.C. Avalanche risk Sunday
In addition to the rain and snow, wind gusts of 40-60 km/h will sweep up the Georgia Strait Saturday. While the wind strength won’t be anything overly impressive, the persistency could result in higher than expected waves.
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Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a rather strong storm that could bring powerful winds through the middle of next week.
Be sure to check back for all of the weather updates across British Columbia.
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