The skies over Metro Vancouver and parts of B.C.’s South Coast were illuminated by bright lightning and echoed with loud thunder on Friday morning.
A yellow warning for a “severe thunderstorm” was issued by Environment Canada for areas of Metro Vancouver as a severe storm was identified over Belcarra around 8 a.m. PT.
Other areas at risk included Seymour Heights, Deep Cove, and Mount Seymour Park, according to the alert.
Additionally, Environment Canada detected lightning in regions such as Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Burnaby.
The agency explained that severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when there is an expectation of hail, damaging winds, or heavy rainfall from imminent or ongoing thunderstorms.
It advised individuals to seek immediate shelter if a thunderstorm is approaching and safeguard themselves against hail and flying debris.
Meteorologist Brian Proctor from Environment Canada mentioned that nocturnal thunderstorms had been observed over the North Shore and Vancouver Island mountains.
Proctor described the thunderstorm activity as a common occurrence during the night, noting reports of hail and flooding in north Burnaby, a Vancouver suburb.
While thunderstorms are somewhat unusual for the Vancouver-Squamish area, Proctor stated that they are not entirely unexpected, especially during the overnight hours.
Proctor reported approximately 1,600 lightning strikes across southern B.C., including Vancouver Island, over a 12-hour period overnight, which was slightly higher than usual for that time frame.
The B.C. Wildfire Service suspected that four wildfires on Vancouver Island were ignited by lightning strikes.
Residents were advised by Proctor to remain vigilant as more thunderstorms could occur throughout Friday evening and into the weekend.
He emphasized the importance of seeking shelter indoors upon hearing thunder as a precautionary measure.
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