VANCOUVER — When torrential rain caused widespread flooding and washed out major highways across British Columbia last fall, the provincial government was quick to flag the creation of a system to rank atmospheric river systems.
But eight months later, Environment Canada and its scientists say there is still no timeline for when such a system might be operable.
"That will allow us to, I think, prepare more effectively. My expectation is, from what I've been told, that will be coming. Looking to be implemented at the beginning of January 2022," he told a news conference on Nov. 22. The weather office said it is studying various rating scales to reflect the intensity of atmospheric rivers with a numeric value, but"there are no immediate plans to formally adopt such a scale operationally in the short term."But Environment Canada said it is instead focused on analyzing the"relevance" of such a system for Canada and noted any new products must undergo rigorous evaluation and peer review to ensure validity and reliability before implementation.
“Climate models are indicating that severe storms are expected to become much more frequent in duration and more severe. This is one of the motivating factors behind our project because we are expecting that these atmospheric rivers are not going away and, if anything, they're going to be more impactful in the future," she said.
Vingarzan added that, though a new ranking system would not increase accuracy, it would provide historical context to"identify its rarity and potential impacts."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
B.C. opens cooling centres as heat wave hits Western CanadaMore than 60 Environment Canada extreme weather warnings were active Thursday, covering most of Alberta, B.C.
Read more »
B.C. has 4,265 unfilled nursing jobs — it's one reason why ERs are closingStatistics Canada says B.C. is short 4,265 nurses. The results are closed ERs, and stressed patients and staff.
Read more »
B.C. civil liberties body calls on other governments to join B.C. in ending immigration detention‘It is our hope that B.C. will set an example for the rest of the country,’ says B.C. Civil Liberties Association lawyer Mara Selanders.
Read more »
Canada sued in federal court over B.C. oil and gas 'sleeper' permitsTwo environmental groups are suing the Canadian government for what they claim are unlawful extensions of offshore oil and gas permits dating back to the 1960s.
Read more »
Anthony Gismondi: B.C. stands proud at National Wine Awards of CanadaAnthony Gismondi has the scoop on how B.C. wines shined bright at the National Wine Awards of Canada
Read more »
Cost of Coastal GasLink pipeline leaps 70% to $11.2B as TC Energy settles dispute | CBC NewsThe 670-kilometre pipeline, which will carry natural gas across B.C. to the LNG Canada processing and export facility in Kitimat, is more than two-thirds complete, according to TC Energy.
Read more »