Rain is expected to continue for the Fraser Valley on Tuesday (Dec. 16) with between 50 and 70 mm in the forecast.
Environment Canada issued a “yellow” rainfall warning for parts of the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver early this morning, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, North Vancouver, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.
The new colour-coded weather alerts describe yellow alerts as the most common, with moderate, localized or short-term impacts.
The rain is expected to be heavy at times and last until overnight tonight.
“Another round of precipitation brought about by a Pacific frontal system, fuelled with an atmospheric river will bring more rain to parts of southwestern B.C today. Periods of rain this morning will become heavy at times with the arrival of the frontal system later this afternoon. Heavy rain will continue through this evening before tapering off to showers overnight tonight,” the warning reads.
According to Environment Canada, water is likely to pool on roads and in low-lying areas with potentially “significant” impacts to rush-hour traffic.
“Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars,” Environment Canada said.
Utility outages are also possible, per the warning. Thousands in the Lower Mainland were without power on Monday (Dec. 16) with roughly 3,700 without power as of 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
A special weather statement from Environment Canada advising of strong wind gusts for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley remains in effect with winds expected from midnight tonight through early Wednesday morning (Dec. 17).
“A vigorous cold front will move across the Lower Mainland tonight. In the wake of the front, strong southwesterly wind gusts will develop over parts of these regions near midnight tonight. These strong winds may lead to possible tree damages, local power outages and travel delay. Winds will ease early Wednesday morning as the front tracks inland,” the statement reads.