Thunderstorms And Strong Winds Hit Metro Vancouver

A special weather statement is in effect for Metro Vancouver this afternoon and tonight as thunderstorms and strong winds are in the forecast. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the region will be hit with "possibly strong" thunderstorms, heavy downpours, wind gusts up to 70 km/h, and hail.

Hazards include water pooling on roads and a sudden reduction in visibility due to the heavy rain. "The greatest threat from these thunderstorms are strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h, and heavy rainfall rates. There’s a very small chance of large hail (2cm or greater) for areas near the U.S. border such as Langley Township, Aldergrove and Abbotsford," stated ECCC.

The alert is in effect for Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Greater Victoria, Malahat Highway, and Southern Gulf Islands. According to ECCC’s forecast, the storms should clear up by tomorrow, as a mix of sun and rain is predicted for Thursday. The next full sunny day in the forecast is Sunday, with highs of 14°C.

If you’re hoping to make use of the warmer temperatures and head outside on Wednesday, don’t forget to bring your rain jacket. 1130 NewsRadio meteorologist Michael Kuss explains that the cloud cover will begin to roll in across the Lower Mainland around midday. "And the risk of thunderstorms goes up through that midday stretch," he said.

"It will be a lot more active though this evening, after sunset. So, if you’re planning an outdoor stroll, even your evening dog walk between around nine and after midnight, it could really be coming down in pockets," Kuss explained. Environment and Climate Change Canada has also issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster, warning of thunderstorms and heavy downpours through the afternoon and evening.

ECCC says wind gusts of up to 70 kilometres an hour could also be felt, along with "small hail." "The threat of thunderstorms will increase this afternoon as a warm front lifts across the area. After a brief break early this evening, a cold front will bring a widespread risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms to the south coast tonight, lasting into the overnight period," ECCC said Wednesday.

The risk of thunderstorms ramps up again on Thursday, Kuss adds, and while it will calm down, it doesn’t "clear out for a couple of days." "A low along the coast will affect us for a couple of days, bringing a few on-off showers on Thursday, slightly cooler conditions too," Kuss said. Wednesday afternoon will be mild, after a warm start, with a high of around 16 degrees.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds are expected across Metro Vancouver on Wednesday evening and night. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement saying a warm front sitting over Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Greater Victoria, Malahat Highway and the Southern Gulf Islands is expected to lift this evening.

This will lead to a brief period of clear or cloudy skies, after which a cold front will move in, bringing widespread heavy rain and strong winds. Risks include water pooling on roads, sudden reduction in visibility due to heavy rain, and debris flows or landslides.

Special weather statements are also in place for the Coquihalla Highway, Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton and the Okanagan to Merritt Connector as the thunderstorm activity is expected to spread east from Metro Vancouver over the next few days. Highway 99 north of Pemberton is also closed due to an avalanche.

On March 25, temperatures reached the mid-upper-teens at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The high on March 26 is expected to be 16 C, but that will break down in the afternoon. A cold front moves into the region, producing a risk of thunderstorms starting around noon to 1 p.m. on March 26.

Widespread heavy showers are expected around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. on March 26, with 15 to 25 mm of precipitation expected in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. There is also a possibility of hail and more thunderstorms on March 26.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement, warning locals of possibly strong thunderstorms and heavy downpours. There is also a chance of winds gusting up to 70 km/h on March 26. Large hail (2 cm or greater) is also possible in areas near the U.S. border, such as Langley Township, Aldergrove, and Abbotsford.

The region will remain in a showery pattern for the remainder of this week, through this weekend, and into the first week of April. However, some intermittent sunshine may break up the dreary forecast. "We have a broad area of low pressure that will park itself over Western Canada," she explains. "And we'll have individual low-pressure systems rotating counterclockwise in the region."

The most notable upcoming storm, Erven notes, is the March 26 system. It will bring the highest precipitation, thunderstorms, and wind. The meteorologist cautions that spring is a dynamic season, and any type of weather is possible, including late-season cold events such as snow.

Environment Canada's climate data from 1991 to 2020 shows trace snowfall amounts under 2 cm at YVR for an average of 0.12 days in April. For March, the probability for snowfall is significantly higher, with 0.84 days of under 2 cm, 0.24 days of under 5 cm, and 0.04 days of under 10 cm.

Residents are advised to stay updated on local weather forecasts and take precautions as they navigate the unpredictable weather conditions in the coming days.