Metro Vancouver is bracing for more heavy rain after a recent powerful storm swept through the region, bringing strong winds and significant precipitation. In a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada on Monday, November 4, residents were warned about the serious conditions that could affect daily activities.

As a result of the storm, BC Hydro has reported that tens of thousands of customers are currently without power, a situation that has caused chaos and uncertainty for many households. Meteorologist Lisa Erven explained that while the rain is expected to ease later today, the strong winds will linger into the night, with gusts of 40 km/h expected to increase to 60 km/h by tomorrow morning.

However, relief may be on the horizon. Starting Tuesday, a ridge of high pressure is anticipated, bringing a much-needed break from the relentless rain and allowing for some sunshine to emerge throughout the work week.

But don’t get too comfortable! By Friday, wet weather will return to the forecast, with precipitation amounts varying widely across the Lower Mainland. According to Erven, it’s too soon to determine the exact rainfall totals for this upcoming event, leaving locals on edge about what’s to come.

“I would be hesitant to classify this as an atmospheric river,” Erven cautioned, emphasizing that each weather event carries its own distinct impacts. The meteorological team will need to closely monitor the storm's track before making any definitive assessments of its intensity. Early indications suggest it will arrive either Friday or Saturday.

The upcoming days are expected to provide a brief respite from the rain, giving the environment some time to recover from the deluge. The Downtown Centre Weatherhood station in Vancouver forecasts approximately 30 mm of rain on Friday and Saturday, followed by upwards of 50 mm on Sunday. Richmond City Centre residents should prepare for similar rainfall, while areas like Surrey City Centre and Coquitlam Centre may experience somewhat lighter totals of around 21 mm on Saturday and 47 mm on Sunday.

Stay tuned for more updates, and make sure to check the BC Hydro power outage map for the latest information on service disruptions in your area. Are you ready for the next storm? Keep your rain gear handy!