We might be in the midst of a heat wave, but rain is in the forecast and so is the potential for flooding.
According to Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross, approximately 30 to 50 millimetres of rain is on the horizon, starting Friday before easing off at the end of the weekend.
“Officially, there's nothing issued by Environment Canada or the River Forecast Centre. However, I can tell you, leading up to Friday into Saturday, right now, as of the latest and the greatest information, there is a very wet system that's on its way,” Ross said.
“The system comes in on Friday, and we're looking at 30 to 50 millimetres of rain, kind of across the board for the Squamish area and certainly some of the mountains could see a lot more.
“It's a little unusual, but nonetheless, we need the rain, and we're in a pretty bad drought condition right now.”
Ross said that he anticipates there to be a break in the weather system on Sunday.
For anyone thinking of hiking or camping in the Squamish Valley this weekend, Ross suggests they should be prepared for the possibility of flooding.
“I think one of the messages [to share] looking at all the ... data is that anybody hiking or camping, in the upper reaches of the upper Squamish Valley, especially, should be prepared for the possibility of some flooding, and Mud Creek possibly being washed out,” he said.
“So be prepared to stay longer and have the appropriate supplies. I know there's been incidents out there in the past, and looking at some of the rainfall totals, by Sunday in the mountains, you know, we could easily see 75 millimetres in some of the local upper reaches.
“That's not good. It's a lot of rain in a very short time.”
On Aug. 7, the Squamish River Forest Service Road was closed at the 21-kilometre mark until further notice, due to a washout at Mud Creek.
The Ministry of Forests told The Squamish Chief that the washout was created by a rain event on the night of Aug. 6.
According to the ministry, safety assessments are taking place, and plans are being made by the designated road maintainer to complete repairs.
There is no completion date known at this time.
"Advice for recreationalists is ... that the road is not currently accessible at the 21km mark, and to please stay clear of the washout and stay safe."
Cooler weather
While Squamish and the surrounding regions have been moving through a heat wave in the past few days, Ross said locals can expect a big drop in temperatures this weekend, particularly in the mountains.
“The temperatures are going to drop significantly in the mountains. It'll be a much cooler air mass behind the system and it'll bring the snow levels down to the tops of the mountains by Sunday,” he said.
“There's a possibility of some light snow, so some of the higher peaks could see the first dusting.”
Washouts and flooding
Dry conditions and hot temperatures have a big impact on whether or not flooding can occur.
“One of the things that happens is, because it's been dry for so long, the water doesn't absorb, it runs off right away,” Ross said.
“So any rainfall, it just runs right off, it doesn't get absorbed. Later on in the fall, it'll absorb into the soil and so on. But because we've been in drought conditions for so long and we just haven't had a lot of significant rain for months, it'll run off [causing washouts and flooding].”
As a local for the past 40 years, Ross said adventurers should keep an eye out on the creeks and river banks during a wet weather system.
“I think anything along the banks, [people should] be careful of,” he said.
His number one tip to those headed out camping or hiking this weekend is to check the weather forecast regularly.
Make sure to stick with the official forecast, which is the Environment Canada Weather Office,” he said.
