While parts of B.C. got a break from rain this morning, Environment Canada is warning people that they are are not out of the woods just yet.

Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Armel Castellan says more rain is expected this afternoon as the province continues to navigate the third in a series of increasingly powerful storms.

“Up to 40 mm of rain for places like Howe Sound and towards Abbotsford. Beyond Abbotsford, we expect potentially up to 50 mm for Chilliwack and Hope and up the Coquihalla in Boston Bar and locations into the Coastal Mountains, we could see another 30 mm, maybe even 40 mm still,” he said Wednesday afternoon.

“This event has already seen close to 200 mm on the outside coast of Vancouver Island, over 100 mm in the Eastern Fraser Valley, and there is still a really good pulse this afternoon into the evening hours before its over and we can not have very much precipitation for Thursday and Friday.”

Environment Canada has a special weather statement for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to the Coquihalla Summit, with up to 70 mm of rain expected Wednesday. Areas north of the Coquihalla Summit should see lesser amounts of rain.

Castellan says there should be a bit of respite for some of the area that have been affected after today.

“We are tracking a storm for Saturday or late Friday. It mostly affects the South Coast but it is not potent as these atmospheric rivers are,” he added. “We should see somewhere around that 15 to 25 mm, perhaps a little bit more but generally speaking, quite a bit less.”

Castellan says all of that rain will be coupled with warmer temperatures which will lead to snow melt in the mountains.

“We’re dealing with record breaking heat. So an atmospheric river not only brings moisture it brings heat and its bringing it well above 3,000 metres, well above mountain top heights,” he said.

“Many records are being broken today for these temperatures and yesterday, perhaps even recording breaking temperatures for any day in December.”

This record heat is why the B.C. River Forecast Centre is keeping a close eye on melting snow in the Interior and other parts of the province.

This morning, a flood warning was put back in place for the Coldwater and Nicola rivers, as well as the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers, and Spius Creek. As it stands, much of the province is under either a flood watch or a flood warning.

A flood watch means river levels are rising and may exceed their banks while a flood warning means river levels have exceeded or will exceed their banks.

Hydrologist David Campbell says river levels in B.C. are expected to rise throughout the day Wednesday.

“As discussed, there is still more rain to come through the afternoon today here and I do anticipate that conditions can be exacerbated, so we may see newer emerging issues throughout the coast, particularly on the central coast or the south coast side of things,” he said.

Campbell says the melting snow could add up to 60 mm of precipitation to rivers and streams in the south, Interior and Central Coast areas.

Hydrologist David Campbell says they are also keeping a close eye on melting snow in the Interior.

“We’ve also seen spillover of rainfall going into the Interior weather sheds and expecting ongoing challenging river conditions into the Tulameen River down into Princeton as well as the Coldwater River into Merritt and tributaries into the Lower Nicola and Spius Creek,” he added.

“While the conditions continue to be challenging through today, we are expecting that with drying weather into tomorrow and the weekend that we will see more substantive improvement in river conditions giving reprieve form what has been a prolonged period of challenging conditions.”

Campbell is asking people to stay away from fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks for their own safety.

In Merritt, City staff say the system is not expected to impact day access to Phase 3 properties today, though people are being told to leave their homes by 3 p.m. It remains to be seen if people will be able to access those properties tomorrow. Access to Phase 4 properties on Friday also remains to be seen.

“Crews, contractors and the Canadian Armed Forces continue to reinforce dikes and critical infrastructure to protect these sites as best as possible,” Merritt Emergency Information Officer, Greg Lowis, said.

Speaking Wednesday, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the Red Cross has sent out $5.8 million to households that have been impacted by flooding in the province this year.

“And as announced by Premier Horgan and the Prime Minister, the government of Canada and the province of BC will match all donations made by individuals and corporations between November 17 and December 26,” he said.

“This means that everyone $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the floods. The response has been incredible.”

Farnworth is also encouraging anyone who is impacted by extreme weather this year to reach out for the supports like counselling if they need it.