Atmospheric river brings up to 80 mm of rain to Vancouver's North Shore as wind gusts hit 90 km/h

Environment Canada has issued rainfall and wind warnings for Metro Vancouver as a potent low-pressure system drives an atmospheric river across BC's South Coast on Friday. The North Shore, including West Vancouver and North Vancouver, along with Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and Howe Sound, could see up to 80 mm of rain on Friday, with about 50 mm at lower elevations; the rain began after midnight and is expected to taper off in the evening. The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory.

Wind and travel impacts

Surrey, Langley, Richmond and Delta are under wind warnings at the same time, with southeasterly gusts of 70 to 90 km/h, strongest in the afternoon, raising the risk of power outages and ferry delays. Environment Canada advises residents to secure loose outdoor objects and watch for falling branches. Authorities also warn of localized flooding, sudden drops in visibility and impassable roads, and urge people to stay away from rivers and culverts, clear storm drains and watch for washouts.

A series of storms to come

This is only the first wave: forecasts show a stronger storm arriving on Saturday evening, with more systems lined up to hit the BC coast through the weekend and into next week. Metro Vancouver's Lower Mainland is expected to receive another 20 to 30 mm or more of rain on Saturday, with a further 50 to 80 mm on the North Shore; western Vancouver Island could accumulate more than 300 mm by early next week, potentially making it the wettest place on Earth over that period. The first system is expected to bring 75 to 150 mm to western and central Vancouver Island, with local rainfall rates of about 10 mm per hour.

Back to a normal rainy season

The wet and windy spell marks a return to normal November-December conditions after an unusually dry October. Environment Canada rates the expected impact of this rainfall as moderate, with high forecast confidence. Authorities remind residents that more storms are coming and to watch for updated warnings.

(File photo: a rainy Vancouver street.)