Vancouver is preparing for a significantly wetter November after an unusually dry October, according to forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
ECCC meteorologist Matt Albers told Daily Hive that a cold front is approaching the region later this week. “The next couple of days will be nicer, with scattered sun and clouds, with some showers,” Albers said. “However, Wednesday night and Thursday morning will bring a cold front to Vancouver. It won’t be shaping up to change temps, but it will bring lots of rain.”
Showers are expected to begin midweek, with 10 to 15 mm of precipitation forecast for Thursday in Vancouver. As the month progresses, the region will face a pattern of repeated low-pressure systems bringing rain and wind, according to Albers. “Based on where the jet stream is set up at the moment, Vancouver will be hit with showers every couple of days. But later in November, hopefully things will moderate and return to near normal.”
According to ECCC’s Canadian Climate Normals Data, November typically sees 245.2 mm of rainfall in Vancouver, with daily average temperatures around 7.5°C, a daily maximum of 9.7°C, and a daily minimum of 5.3°C.
The wet forecast marks a stark contrast to October’s weather. ECCC’s Steve Boily noted that October is on track to receive about one-third of normal precipitation. The Vancouver Harbour station recorded 54 mm of rain during October, compared to the normal total of 156.8 mm. Boily attributed the dry conditions to a series of high-pressure ridges that diverted storm systems toward the north coast of British Columbia, Alaska, and the Yukon, keeping them away from the Vancouver area.
Key facts
- A cold front is expected to arrive Wednesday night and Thursday morning, bringing significant rain to Vancouver
- Thursday’s forecast calls for 10 to 15 mm of precipitation
- Vancouver will be hit with showers every couple of days based on current jet stream positioning
- October recorded only 54 mm of rain, about one-third of the normal 156.8 mm
- November typically averages 245.2 mm of rainfall in Vancouver