The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow warning for the Skeena River for this coming weekend.
The warning comes as the river is already running high and there is significant rain in the forecast. Environment Canada is calling for up to 40 mm in Prince Rupert between tonight and the end of day Saturday, while Terrace can expect up to 35 mm of rain. At the same time, the temperature is in the double-digits, meaning more of the high snowpack will be melting away.
"In general, rivers receded last weekend from their peaks, however warm weather and snowmelt through this week has maintained high river levels. Snow pack is still significant in many regions of the province, in particular snow packs in the Upper Fraser, Nechako, Peace and Skeena‐Nass are sufficient to pose an on‐going flood risk. The larger rivers in the province (Fraser, Skeena, Nass, North Thompson, Nechako) are reaching the peak of the snow melt season, and subsequently are at the peak of the snow melt freshet season. During this period, rivers are full and have limited capacity to contain significant additional runoff from rapid snowmelt or heavy rainfall," said a notice from the centre.
"River levels are expected to rise on Sunday and into Monday in response to this rainfall. The amount of river rise will depend on how much rain falls, and which areas receive the most rain. Flows may return to flood stage on the Upper Fraser River around Prince George. Elsewhere there is uncertainty whether flows will approach flood stage."