Environment Canada has issued a high impact rainfall warning for Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, as a powerful weather system moves through the region on March 20, 2026. Residents should prepare for between 80 and 130 mm of rain to fall by late this afternoon, which could lead to significant flooding and road hazards.
The heavy rainfall is driven by an atmospheric river, which is a long and narrow band of moisture in the sky. Because freezing levels are high at 2000 to 2500 metres, melting snow from higher elevations is expected to add to the water flow and increase the impact on the community.
Officials warn that the prolonged rain could cause local rivers to rise quickly, leading to potential flooding and road washouts. There is also an increased risk of landslides in the area because the ground is already soaked with water from the heavy downpour.
The heaviest rain is expected to continue through the middle of the day. Conditions are forecast to improve after noon as a cold front moves across the Lower Mainland and the rain begins to taper off.
