B.C. storm bringing heavy rain, strong winds

Environment Canada weather warnings remain in place for much of B.C. as a cold front sweeps across the province Thursday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and rising snow levels.

Heavy rain and wind gusts over 130 km/h hit the North and Central Coast overnight Wednesday. The front is now tracking through the South Coast for one of our biggest storms so far this season.

This system is known as an atmospheric river — a narrow weather system that directs concentrated moisture (all the way from Asia to the South Coast in this case.)

• Winter driving conditions hit B.C. Southern Interior highways

Impacts so far

Rain began early Thursday morning for the South Coast but the worst is still to come for northern and eastern sections of Vancouver. 

Winds have been gusting to over 50 km/h at Vancouver's international airport, but weather stations on the Strait of Georgia islands have been reporting over 90 km/h gusts.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre has also issued high stream advisories for the Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, North Shore and the Sunshine coast over the next 24 hours.

Many B.C. Ferries routes have been cancelled because of the high winds. The risk for power outages will continue through Thursday afternoon and evening, with winds finally easing for the South Coast after midnight. 

What's still to come

Rain began early Thursday morning for Metro Vancouver, but the storm is far from over. There will be big differences in rainfall totals by Friday morning. 

Highest amounts will fall on the North Shore and the Fraser Valley, where rainfall totals may be over 120 mm.

Areas by the water may only get a quarter of that rain, a big factor being the fact that the moisture is being lifted, and squeezed out as it hits the mountains.

Rain will likely continue through Friday morning as the cold front slows down over the South Coast.

What about snow?

This system started off as snow for the South Coast mountains, with highway passes possibly picking up a few extra centimetres Thursday morning.

The local mountains also picked up a good 10 cm of snow in the morning, but powder is turning to rain in the warmer afternoon air.

But never fear, powder hounds - by Saturday, as the South Coast gets behind the cold front once again, lingering rounds of showers will fall once again as snow for the mountains.