Atmospheric river brings flooding risk to Vancouver, with a stronger storm on the way Saturday
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver as an atmospheric river brings heavy rain and wind. A second, more powerful pulse arrives Saturday evening.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on vancouverisawesome.com.
An atmospheric river is pushing heavy rain across Metro Vancouver on Friday, November 6, bringing flooding risk, wind and power outages with a stronger system on the way Saturday evening.
Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam and the Howe Sound after the storm started around midnight. Environment Canada meteorologist Gary Lee told Vancouver Is Awesome that the region had received around 20 millimetres in Coquitlam and around 24 millimetres on Burnaby Mountain by Friday.
What is driving the storm
The storm is an atmospheric river with subtropical origins just north of Hawaii. Vancouver Is Awesome reported that it passed over Vancouver Island before reaching the Lower Mainland. A strong west-to-east jet stream across the Pacific is adding to the wind, and the combination has caused power outages along the BC coast and in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
Lee described this first pulse as a weaker atmospheric river. Periods of heavy rain should continue through Friday, and rainfall totals may exceed 80 millimetres at higher elevations such as the North Shore mountains. The City of Vancouver should see another 10 to 15 millimetres before the first pulse eases.
The BC River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for the BC South Coast on November 6. As of Friday, it had not issued any flood warnings, only the advisory.
A stronger storm arrives Saturday evening
Lee told Vancouver Is Awesome that a second, more potent pulse begins Saturday evening and runs through Sunday morning. That system is expected to bring strong winds and 50 to 150+ millimetres of precipitation, according to the River Forecast Centre advisory. The heaviest amounts are expected at higher terrain and windward slopes, including the North Shore mountains, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast.
Power outages are possible and likely through the weekend, Vancouver Is Awesome reported.
The first storm should taper off Sunday evening, with a mostly dry Monday. Another storm is then forecast to arrive Tuesday and continue for several days.
What to do now
Environment Canada's rainfall warning advises Vancouver residents to clear storm drains of fallen leaves before Saturday's storm arrives. Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, the warning says.
Residents can check the BC River Forecast Centre for updated flood advisories and Environment Canada's forecast for the latest on the Saturday storm, its timing and the expected rainfall totals in their area.
Questions this story answers
What is happening with Vancouver's weather on November 6, 2026?
An atmospheric river with subtropical origins is passing over Metro Vancouver, bringing heavy rain, wind and power outages. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam and the Howe Sound. Environment Canada meteorologist Gary Lee told Vancouver Is Awesome the region had received around 20 millimetres in Coquitlam and around 24 millimetres on Burnaby Mountain by November 6.
How much rain is expected in Vancouver from this storm?
Vancouver Is Awesome reported that Environment Canada expects the City of Vancouver to see another 10 to 15 millimetres of rain in the remaining hours of November 6. At higher elevations such as the North Shore mountains, rainfall totals may exceed 80 millimetres. The storm carries the BC River Forecast Centre's high streamflow advisory for the BC South Coast.
Is a second storm coming after this one?
Yes. Environment Canada meteorologist Gary Lee told Vancouver Is Awesome that a more potent pulse begins Saturday evening and runs through Sunday morning. That second system may bring strong winds and 50 to 150+ millimetres of precipitation at higher terrain and windward slopes, according to the BC River Forecast Centre advisory issued November 6.
Are power outages expected in Vancouver this weekend?
Yes. Vancouver Is Awesome reported that the jet stream and wind from the atmospheric river have already caused power outages across the BC coast, North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Environment Canada and Vancouver Is Awesome say power outages are possible and likely through the weekend with the continuing inclement weather.
What can Vancouver residents do to protect their property?
Environment Canada's rainfall warning advises residents to clear storm drains of fallen leaves in their neighbourhood to minimize potential damage. Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, the warning says. Residents should check weather forecasts for Saturday's more powerful storm and watch for flooding updates.
What is the BC River Forecast Centre saying about flooding risk?
The BC River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for the BC South Coast on November 6. As of that time it had not issued any flood warnings, only the advisory. The Centre's advisory warns that the second storm arriving Saturday could bring 50 to 150+ millimetres over higher terrain, with the highest amounts over windward slopes on the North Shore mountains, Howe Sound and Sunshine Coast.
When will the storms end?
Vancouver Is Awesome reported that the first storm should taper off Sunday evening, with a mostly dry Monday expected. However, another storm is forecast to bring heavy rain starting Tuesday and continuing for days after. Environment Canada meteorologist Gary Lee said residents should check weather updates throughout the weekend.
Who issued the warnings about this weather?
Environment Canada issued the rainfall warning covering West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam and the Howe Sound. The BC River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for the BC South Coast. Both were active as of November 6, 2026, as reported by Vancouver Is Awesome. Residents can find updates on Vancouver's emergency preparedness at vancouver.ca.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- Vancouver Is Awesome: Atmospheric river brings possible flooding, power outagesvancouverisawesome.com
- BC River Forecast Centre High Streamflow Advisory, November 6, 2026bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
