An Environment Canada special weather statement for Calgary has been upgraded to a rainfall warning, which says heavy rain of up to 100 millimetres is expected over the next few days.
The warning Sunday says total amounts will vary between 50-100 mm and continue until Wednesday morning, adding that rain exceeding 100 mm in some localized areas is possible.
“Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas,” the warning reads.
“Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.”
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660 NewsRadio Meteorologist Kevin Stanfield says regions around Calgary have seen around 40 mm of precipitation as of 1 p.m. Sunday, with some areas, such as High River west of the city and all the way toward Lethbridge, already seeing upwards of 50 mm.
“Another 10-plus mm of rain will fall by the end of the day, meaning Calgary has seen upwards of 50 mm of rainfall today (Sunday),” he explained, though he adds it’s not over yet.
“As we push on to Monday and Tuesday, we’re still anticipating another 40-plus mm of rain.”
He says a system is currently tracking to the west, but is expected to head northward as the day progresses. Stanfield adds Calgarians can expect upwards of 75 additional millimetres of rain before the system lets up on Tuesday.
The incoming rainfall, which began Saturday, is expected to raise river levels in Calgary, where the city’s fire department has issued a boating advisory for the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
City officials say the Bow River is already moving faster than the recommended limit for boating, floating, or swimming. The Elbow River is also expected to rise further as the rain arrives. Fish Creek is under a high streamflow advisory due to water level changes, and no river-related flooding is expected at this time, according to the Alberta Rivers Basin website.
Widespread overbank flooding is not anticipated, but localized flooding remains possible, the city adds. High, fast-moving water can erode riverbanks, submerge pathways, and hide hazards underwater. Meanwhile, the city is urging Calgarians to use caution near the rivers.
A boating advisory is triggered when the Bow River flow exceeds 280 cubic metres per second at the Elbow River confluence. Crews will continue to monitor conditions.
Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told her province-wide radio show on Saturday that her government is ready to help communities facing flood risk, which she says isn’t at the same level as it was in 2013.
Thousands of people across southern Alberta had to leave their homes, and hundreds of buildings were affected due to significant flooding that year.
In 2013, Calgary faced its worst flood since 1897. The city’s website says one person died, and the floods caused as much as $6 billion in damage.
For now, the city is only expecting some pathway closures in its low-lying areas and is not considered in a flood watch or warning.
A high streamflow advisory is also in place for the Bow River upstream of Banff, through the townsite, and downstream to the Ghost Reservoir.
Officials in Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis Country are urging residents and visitors to stay off riverbanks and avoid all water activities as fast‑moving water continues to pose a serious risk.
The ECCC is encouraging Albertans to monitor forecasts closely, prepare for potential impacts, and consider postponing outdoor plans as the system moves through.
The current weather conditions and extended forecast for Calgary can be found here.
With files from Phil Wood and The Canadian Press