Skip to content

Rainfall warning issued for parts of Metro Vancouver as another 'atmospheric river' event arrives

With the new storm comes the risk the rains could "worsen recent flooding and impact vulnerable landscapes and infrastructure"
rain-vancouver-stanley-park
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning Wednesday, Nov. 24 for much of Metro Vancouver, with the heaviest rains and winds set to happen Thursday.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for several municipalities in Metro Vancouver, as well as in the Howe Sound and Fraser Valley.

Rainfall totals of 50 to 80 mm are expected, with the downpours starting Wednesday night, as another storm system - an "atmospheric river" - moves into the region.

"The rain will be heaviest on Thursday as the storm moves across the south coast. The heavy rain will ease Thursday night as the system moves out of the region," warns Canada's weather agency.

The rainfall warning covers much of Metro Vancouver, including the City of Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster; the North Shore, including West Vancouver and North Vancouver; and the northeast, including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

Similarly, in the Fraser Valley, the rainfall warning is in effect for Chilliwack, Hope, and Abbotsford - including areas devastated last week by flooding due to a much stronger atmospheric river event. 

Environment Canada adds that near the water on Thursday there is a risk of strong southeast winds. 

While this latest storm is expected to be shorter-lived and less intense than what the region endured November 13 through 15,  it will still bring moderate to heavy rain and strong winds, cautions Environment Canada, adding the risk is greater in some areas, as "freezing levels will rise above mountain tops on Thursday. This may worsen recent flooding and impact vulnerable landscapes and infrastructure."