Metro Vancouver air quality advisory lifted after shift in weather

An air quality advisory that was issued for the Lower Mainland last week has ended.

The Metro Vancouver Regional District first issued the advisory on Aug. 25, citing high concentrations of fine particulate matter primarily due to the ongoing wildfires throughout B.C.

“Air quality has improved due to a weather change,” the district said in a social media post Tuesday.

Rainfall and cooler temperatures set in around the region Monday.

“Isolated showers with more lightning and thunder are rumbling across the South Coast through the morning hours with those lightning strikes, which have been numerous over the last 24 hours,” explained CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss Tuesday.

“Over the past 24 hours and especially through the overnight, it’s been incredibly unsettled. Frequent lightning, lots of rumbles of thunder waking people up early this morning and that could continue through the morning hours.”

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

Related articles: 

• Cooler temperatures, rain moving into Metro Vancouver

• Lightning storm hits parts of B.C. raising more wildfire concerns

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