Prince George, B.C. – The arrival of rain in the Central Interior and Cariboo regions this morning is certainly welcomed and there is more to follow during the coming week.  The big question is whether it will be enough to help in the battle against some of the major wildfires burning in central BC.

Environment Canada meteorologist Mike Gismondi says Prince George is getting some decent rain today “and that should continue probably until this afternoon.  We expect it to gradually taper off during the day and there is a chance of a thunderstorm as well.”  He says we have received about 5 millimetres so far and should get another 5 through the day.

He says the Cariboo is pretty similar.  “They’ve had a little less than you have had and we’re expecting similar weather there today, with a chance of a thunderstorm as well.  I can’t really comment on how it’s going to affect the wildfires because that’s not our area but I imagine the rain is a good thing as far as firefighting.  It may not be enough to have a significant impact though.”

He says “with this front going through it brings a change in the weather pattern, so we’re looking at more unsettled weather at least into mid-week.  You do have chances of showers for several days for Prince George and there could be the risk of a thunderstorm in there.  And then it looks like it may start drying out again toward the end of the week.”

The Cariboo region should have the possibility of showers every day through the week with the risk of a thunderstorm “but the main thing is it’s going to be scattered showers and not widespread rain.”

Gismondi says “but it is a change in the weather and with a shift in winds hopefully it will clear out some of the smoke that places have seen.  Hopefully as the front keeps pushing through it will sort of squeegee that smoke away from you.  The wind will shift to more of a westerly today (than southwesterly which has been blowing the smoke from the Cariboo fires toward Prince George).’