Heavy rainfall at Vancouver airport smashes 113-year record: Environment Canada

Several rainfall records were shattered across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Friday, with the Vancouver International Airport surpassing its previous record by a significant margin.

YVR saw 43.2 millimetres of rainfall, which is more than 60 per cent higher than the previous record — set in 1912 — of 26.9 mm.

“An unseasonably moisture-laden frontal system gave much-needed rain to south coast regions starting late Thursday evening, Aug. 14, and continuing through Friday, Aug. 15,” the weather agency said.

Three other regions smashed decades-old records: Abbotsford, with 55.8 mm (previous: 18 mm in 1999); Squamish, 35.8 mm (previous: 14.4 mm in 1988); and West Vancouver, 80.6 mm (previously 38.4 mm).

The Leader Spirit meteorologist Carl Lam says the rain is expected to taper off over the weekend.

This record precipitation comes after a dry stretch that saw scorching temperatures across the South Coast, with multiple heat warnings being issued in the Lower Mainland less than a week ago.

— With files from Amy Beeman.