New Westminster

Southern British Columbia saw record warm temperatures, heavy rain, powerful winds up to 119 km/h, and significant snowfall on the Coquihalla between Dec. 16–17, 2025. Environment Canada reported multiple daily high-temperature records in the Interior, 50–70 mm of rain on the South Coast, and 43 mm of snow on Highway 5.

Environment and Climate Change Canada reports 28 areas in British Columbia set Dec. 15 record highs, with Vancouver reaching 15.7 C and Kamloops hitting 18.6 C. The warmth followed an atmospheric river that also brought heavy rain to parts of the South Coast.

An atmospheric river brought flooding to southern B.C., prompting a local state of emergency and evacuation orders in Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, multiple highway closures including the Coquihalla, and helicopter rescues on the Chilliwack River. Some routes partially reopened Thursday, but officials urged essential travel only.

An atmospheric river shattered daily rainfall records across B.C.’s South Coast on Dec. 10, with Hope receiving 134.2 mm, prompting a local state of emergency and evacuations in the Fraser Valley. More wet weather is expected despite warnings being lifted.

A 4-year-old humpback whale named Wisp washed up on Keats Island, B.C., after a suspected collision with a tour vessel, prompting advocates to call for stronger protections and safer boating practices. Authorities and locals are urging measures to reduce ship strikes in the area.

Unusual flower mortality on vegetable crops may suggests a potential decline in pollinator populations, as indicated by fewer insect collisions with car windshields.

Smoke from wildfires burning in the Canadian Prairies is degrading air quality in northeastern British Columbia, prompting Environment Canada to issue special air quality statements and advise residents to limit outdoor exposure.

A rare sighting of a cougar was reported in Vancouver's urban Dunbar area, close to Pacific Spirit Regional Park, prompting caution among residents.

A mudslide in Lions Bay, British Columbia, has resulted in one death and one person missing, prompting a local emergency declaration and highlighting the area's vulnerability to debris flows due to past geotechnical oversight.

High winds of up to 100 km/h have left thousands without power in British Columbia, with a storm surge warning issued for Metro Vancouver and coastal areas.

A 65-year-old woman in South Surrey was tragically killed by a falling tree during a severe windstorm.

A family of killer whales was spotted near downtown Vancouver in a rare sighting likely linked to hunting for seals.

Western red cedars in South Langley, BC are dying, with browning starting at the tops during summer and progressing downward until the trees are completely dead.

Eight skunks found dead last month in Vancouver and Richmond tested positive for avian flu.

As engineers and government officials try to locate the source of a sewage leak into the Capilano River, the Squamish Nation and a group of volunteers who monitor waterways on the North Shore say they are worried about the effect on young salmon in the river.

Vancouver Island is known for its predatory wildlife, such as black bears, coastal wolves and cougars. Many towns and villages sit in areas with high populations of predatory wildlife, making interactions with humans often inevitable, unless effective coexistence management is in place.

In 2022, an unprecedented bloom of moon jellyfish occurred numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

This happened about 250 m from the shore of the Fraser River in a creek at Colony Farms.

Since 7 a.m. on Monday, crews in Vancouver responded to reports of flooding in 46 locations. Average annual cost of property damage or losses due to severe weather has increased from about $400 million before 2009 to about $2 billion annually in the last few years.

A tornado watch was issued around 5:30 p.m. and rescinded less than an hour later, but the storm caused considerable damage on the University of British Columbia campus. The school is located on a peninsula not far from the airport.