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Heavy downpours: Environment Canada issues rainfall warning for Vancouver

Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
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Photo: Rainboots / Shutterstock

A rainfall warning is in effect for Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­as an intense low pressure system with subtropical moisture brings heavy rain into the Lower Mainland.

Beginning on Thursday (Jan. 30) night, the warm front associated with this low pressure system moved through the region last night, bringing rain, at times heavy. 

Now, Environment Canada notes that an, "intense low pressure system with subtropical moisture will bring heavy rain to the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, Gibsons and Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­today through to Saturday."

The forecast notes, however, that Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­well see a break this afternoon as the warm front lifts north towards Squamish. Following this, the cold front associated with this system will return in the evening with another round of heavy rain that will last through to Saturday midday.

Rainfall warning in effect for:

  • Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­- central including the City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Burnaby and New Westminster
  • Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­- North Shore including West Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­and North Vancouver
  • Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­- northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge
  • Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­- southeast including Surrey and Langley
  • Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­- southwest including Richmond and Delta


Total rainfall amounts for these events will be near 60 to 120 mm for the Fraser Valley, 130 mm for Howe Sound, 60 mm for Whistler, 90 mm for Gibsons and 100 to 120 mm for parts of Metro Vancouver.

Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.