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Metro Vancouver weather: Two rainstorms expected to drench the region

A meteorologist says we "are in an active storm pattern."
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The Metro Vancouver weather forecast calls for two rainstorms ahead of Halloween following catastrophic flooding in North Vancouver, B.C.

The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes a series of rainstorms following flooding across parts of the region.

An atmospheric river soaked the Lower Mainland on election day (Oct. 19), bringing over 150 mm of rain to cities across the region. Flooding prevented BC Hydro crews from accessing some areas where customers lost power

Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan tells V.I.A. locals should expect more rainfall this weekend, although amounts shouldn't reach ones experienced over the election. 

The District of North Vancouver declared a state of local emergency and issued a mandatory evacuation order for six properties on Panorama Drive in Deep Cove due to extensive flooding.

More rainfall soaks the drenched region 

Castellan says parts of the region received between 15 and 35 mm of rain early Tuesday morning, with some pulses producing up to 9 mm per hour. He says the wet weather was "remnants of the same pattern" that brought the weekend storm following a break from mid-Sunday to Monday. 

"It's not something you need when you're already super saturated," he remarks, noting that some places continue to experience ongoing flooding impacts. 

The forecast includes a reprieve from the stormy weather on Tuesday through Thursday, with periods of sun and cloud possible.

Deeper into the week, a "complex soup" brewing offshore could bring another wet pattern to the region late Friday through Saturday night. Castellan describes how two low-pressure systems — one from the Gulf of Alaska, another off the California coast — will merge to bring the rainfall.

"There should be the heaviest rain on Saturday, and not as strong as last weekend, but that remains to be seen," he says.

Metro Vancouver weather forecast calls for a second rainstorm ahead of Halloween

A second rain event with a more tropical origin is expected on Wednesday, Oct. 30. It is still far too early to explore exactly how it will impact the region. However, it isn't expected to be as potent as the recent storm.

Castellan notes that we "are in an active storm pattern" and the wet weather event could carry through Halloween, although the heavy showers might ease to showers in the evening for trick-or-treaters.

"Every storm has the chance to change and become worse," he comments.

Temperatures are expected to range around seasonal averages, which include a high of 13 C and a low of 6. 

With files from Andy Prest/North Shore News