Cooler temperatures, rain moving into Metro Vancouver

A special air quality advisory remains in effect for the Lower Mainland, as wildfire smoke from the Interior continues to push its way into the region.

After a hot and smoky weekend across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says some relief is coming.

“We have one more hazy, humid day in the forecast — that’s today. Now, we will get some improvement but it’s really not until late, late today. You’ll notice it tomorrow, mind you,” he said Monday.

An air quality advisory will continue due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter, and ground-level ozone has been added. For more information, visit: https://t.co/fglQzzD7Iz pic.twitter.com/nXTR07udiC

— Metro Vancouver (@MetroVancouver) August 27, 2023

Kuss says precipitation is building around the region, with rain expected to begin Monday afternoon, carrying overnight into Tuesday.

“That rain is going to take the smoke out of the atmosphere. We’ll see a bit of a pattern change,” he explained.

Rain is also in the forecast for other parts of B.C., as firefighters continue to battle hundreds of blazes.

“We’re getting rain into the Interior as well, southern Interior today, but stretching over the next couple of days, with cooler temperatures, and that’s definitely going to help the forest fire fight, at least for southern B.C.,” Kuss said.

Much of B.C. continues to experience severe drought levels, with conditions described by the province as “unprecedented.”

Related articles: 

• Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley still under wildfire smoke air quality advisory

• Some Canadians affected by wildfires would consider moving: study

As of Aug. 24, most of the province’s water basins were at a Drought Level 4 or 5, according to the province’s website.

“Drought is a recurring feature of climate change. It is a shortage of water caused by reduced precipitation and rain. Droughts lead to reduced water availability. All people, organizations and businesses are asked to reduce the water they’re using as much as possible,” the website reads.

The Metro Vancouver region remains under stage 2 watering restrictions, which prohibits lawn watering. Some exceptions apply.

Listen to CityNews 1130 for weather updates every 10 minutes after traffic on the ones. You can also follow Meteorologist Michael Kuss on social media and sign up for breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.