6.73°C Vancouver

Dec 4, 2023 5:25 PM - The Canadian Press

'Atmospheric river' set to hit Metro Vancouver, southern coast of British Columbia

Share On
atmospheric-river-set-to-hit-metro-vancouver-southern-coast-of-british-columbia
The rainfall warning says an atmospheric river is set to make landfall on the province's southern coast today. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Much of British Columbia's south coast is bracing for stormy weather as Environment Canada says a "potent and impactful" storm will bring heavy rain to Metro Vancouver.

Environment Canada is also warning drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler to exercise caution due to heavy rains raising the risk of flooding and landslides along the route. The rainfall warning says an atmospheric river is set to make landfall on the province's southern coast today, bringing as much as 150 millimetres of rain to Western Vancouver Island. Meanwhile, Inland Vancouver Island, the Howe Sound region and parts of Metro Vancouver, including the North Shore, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, are expecting up to 100 millimetres of rain from the storm.

The forecast says the rest of Metro Vancouver could get up to 70 millimetres of rain today before the storm eases on Tuesday morning. Environment Canada also says motorists on the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt should be cautious due to the possibility of snow mixed with rain on the roads.

The province's River Forecast Centre has issued high streamflow advisories for the entire southwestern region of British Columbia, encompassing all of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the south coast.

Latest news

threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age

Related News