Heavy rain could set Edmonton's wettest June on record

Edmonton is preparing for another deluge this weekend as Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a special weather statement for the region.

Rain is forecast to begin Friday evening and continue through Sunday, with 30-60 mm possible. While that amount alone wouldn't normally be a concern, this June has already been exceptionally wet — 203 mm has fallen so far, compared to the normal monthly total of 70 mm.

If the weekend rain materializes as predicted, Edmonton could break the record for the wettest June on record. The current record was set in 1914 with 216.5 mm. "It has been the second-wettest June on record for Edmonton and could potentially become the worst ever," said weather specialist Phil Darlington.

With the ground already saturated from heavy rain June 19-22 and multiple river basins flowing above normal, the additional rainfall increases the risk of overland flooding, washouts, and infrastructure damage. Environment Canada said the area of heaviest rain may fall in a narrow band, which could lead to localized impacts. Another weather system is also forecast for Sunday night into early next week that may bring additional heavy rainfall to vulnerable areas of central Alberta.

Rural regions around Edmonton remain under active Alberta Emergency Alerts from the previous weekend's flooding. High streamflow advisories are in effect through Edmonton, where the North Saskatchewan River and several other basin rivers are flowing higher and faster than normal.