Central Interior to get battered with heavy rain

Photo: Brendan Kergin

A special weather statement has been issued for the South Thompson. 

Environment Canada is calling for heavy rain in the Central Interior tonight, Wednesday and Thursday.

Between 20 and 40 mm of rain is possible through Thursday, states an online bulletin, with the higher rainfall amounts expected over the mountains.

However, Environment Canada says there remains some uncertainty about just how much rain will come down.

"In addition to the widespread synoptic rain, thunderstorms will have the potential of adding 15-25 mm over short periods," reads the weather statement.

That means some unlucky places could see over 60 mm of rain.

The rain is a result of a low-pressure system developing over southern Alberta today, which will intensify as it moves northward into northern Alberta by Wednesday night. The system will funnel rain across the Central Interior. The alert covers multiple regions north of the South Thompson as well.

"Showers will transition into rain, heavy at times, tonight or Wednesday morning. The rain will taper off on Thursday morning, but showers are likely Thursday afternoon," Environment Canada says.

This isn't good news for local rivers, which may rise further as a result. This includes the Quesnel River (Cariboo Mountains), the North Thompson (Blue River/Clearwater region) and the South Thompson (Shuswap).

The BC River Forecast Centre has called a press conference for 4:15 p.m. today to provide an update on the provincial flooding outlook for the coming days.