Loud thunder and bright lightning illuminated the skies over Metro Vancouver and parts of B.C.’s South Coast on Friday morning. Environment Canada issued a yellow alert for a “severe thunderstorm” in sections of Metro Vancouver, pinpointing its location over Belcarra around 8 a.m. PT. The warning highlighted potential impact areas such as Seymour Heights, Deep Cove, and Mount Seymour Park. Lightning was also detected by Environment Canada in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Burnaby.
According to Environment Canada, severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or ongoing thunderstorms are likely to generate damaging hail, wind, or rain. The agency advised individuals to seek immediate shelter when a thunderstorm approaches and shield themselves from flying debris and hail. Brian Proctor, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, mentioned that nocturnal thunderstorms have been active over the North Shore and Vancouver Island mountains. Instances of hail and localized flooding were reported in north Burnaby, a neighboring suburb of Vancouver.
Proctor noted that while thunderstorms are somewhat uncommon for the Vancouver-Squamish region, they are not entirely unexpected. He highlighted the atypical occurrence of these storms during the overnight and early morning hours. Over a 12-hour period overnight, approximately 1,600 lightning strikes were recorded across southern B.C., including Vancouver Island, a figure slightly higher than the typical overnight count. The B.C. Wildfire Service suspects that four wildfires on Vancouver Island were sparked by lightning strikes.
Residents were advised by Proctor to remain vigilant as more thunderstorms could persist into Friday evening and the weekend. He emphasized the importance of seeking indoor shelter upon hearing thunder as a crucial safety measure.