Issued: 21Oct2008, 1:30PM

BC Environment has issued a High Streamflow Advisory for the North Coast, including:

• Kitimat area (including Kitimat River and Hirsch Creek)
• Terrace area (including Kitsumkalum River)
• Stewart area (including Bear River)
• Nass River valley

A significant warm/wet frontal system has moved onto the North Coast and is expected to  produce heavy rainfall from later this afternoon through to late Wednesday. Environment Canada has issued a High Rainfall warning, and is forecasting as much as 100 mm of rain for inland sections (Kitimat, Terrace, Stewart) of the North Coast, and 120 mm for coastal areas. The front has a strong south-easterly flow, and is expected to bring heavy rain into the Kitimat - Terrace - Stewart corridor.

The freezing elevation will rise quickly this afternoon as the warm front penetrates, and may reach near 2000 metres. This will melt off some or all of the early season snowpack that has accumulated in the North Coast mountains, adding this water to rivers, and producing "rain-on- snow" high flows.

Rivers will begin rising this evening, and will continue to rise throughout the night and into Wednesday morning and afternoon. Depending on local rainfall amounts, there is potential for very rapid rises in water levels in some rivers overnight tonight and into Wednesday morning.

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions closely and will issue an update by 8AM Wednesday, or earlier if conditions warrant.

See http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rfc/river_forecast/advisories_current.htm for current advisories.