Up to 70 mm of rain and winds gusting up to 80 km/h are expected in Metro Vancouver as an atmospheric river hits the city later this week.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement to alert residents as "heavy rain and strong winds" are expected to peak Thursday night (Nov. 3) and Friday (Nov. 4) across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and other southern coastal regions.
"Rain is expected to develop Thursday afternoon and intensify Thursday night," warns Environment Canada. "The rain will continue into Friday before tapering off to showers on Friday afternoon."
Rainfall is expected to amount to between 30 mm and 70 mm, with higher terrain getting more precipitation.
At the same time, the atmospheric river will bring winds of around 40 to 60 km/h through the Strait of Georgia and Salish Sea, gusting to 80 km/h, with coastal regions like Victoria experiencing the strongest winds.
"Atmospheric rivers vary in intensity and impacts," states Environment Canada. "This atmospheric river is expected to be similar in strength to the most recent event on Sunday, Oct. 30."
The weather is expected to calm down Friday as the storm exits the south coast.
Following the storm, expect colder weather Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau told Vancouver Is Awesome.
"What does seem reasonable is a shift to a cooler pattern starting Saturday onward," Charbonneau noted.
