Atmospheric river forecast to bring heavy rain and snow for B.C.’s north coast

Waves pound Ogden Point breakwater during a storm, in Victoria, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

British Columbia’s north coast is set to get another blast of wet, wintry weather in the coming days from an atmospheric river system.

Environment Canada says in a rainfall warning covering communities including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat that the region may see as much as 100 millimetres of rain starting late Thursday through Saturday morning.

The warning also says up to 15 centimetres of snow may fall in inland sections of major highways, and Terrace could also see some freezing rain.

A special weather statement warning of gusts reaching 120 kilometres an hour has also been issued for Haida Gwaii and the B.C. coastline from Prince Rupert south to Port McNeill on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

Further north, a winter storm warning has been issued for Stewart and the South Klondike Highway near the Alaskan Panhandle, with snowfall of 35 centimetres and beyond.

A snowfall warning is also in effect for up to 20 centimetres of snow in the Cassiar Mountains area into Yukon, covering much of the area surrounding Watson Lake.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2026.