The City of Merritt says it is aware of and monitoring an Atmospheric River that is expected to impact the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island this week.

EOC Information Officer, Jean Strong, tells NL News the forecast shows little precipitation spilling over into the Coldwater watershed at this time.

“The atmospheric river that is coming in has a southwesterly flow so its going to be hitting areas like the North Shore mountains of Vancouver,” she said. “[The River Forecast Centre is] telling us that any precipitation that is making it over the mountains towards us is more likely to fall as snow at higher elevation, even as we are seeing a little bit of a warming trend this week.”

“While the heavier snowpack definitely can increase that flood risk – and it is something they are watching – it will also be more dependent on how the weather goes during the spring and how much snow falls over the next few months.”

There are high streamflow advisories in place for the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island as heavy rain and warming temperatures could lead to melting snow and high water levels by Wednesday.

All of Merritt was evacuated because of flooding on the Coldwater River in November, though Strong says most residents are now back home.

“Given the events of November and the last couple of months, I can certainly understand that concern and anxiety for many residents of Merritt,” Strong added. “At this point, there are no watches, advisories, or warnings for the Merritt area, however we are keeping an eye on that weather system.”

“We are very cognizant of it and the effects that weather can have especially given the events of the past few months, but nothing that we are hugely concerned about, right now.”

She is also encouraging Merrittonians to stay vigilant so they are prepared in case the forecast changes.

For the latest alerts from the BC River Forecast Centre, go here, while for information on preparation for flood events check out Prepared BC.