As thousands of Taylor Swift fans converge on Vancouver this weekend, it looks like the city will cement its reputation as "Raincouver."
Sunshine is expected to stick around for a while, says Environment Canada's Lisa Erven, as Metro Vancouver will be under a ridge of high pressure for the next few days.
Temperatures will sit around the seasonal usual, she adds, with highs around 7 C and lows of 2 C from Monday, Dec. 2, through Wednesday, Dec. 4.
However, the era of winter sunshine won't last forever.
Weather forecast for Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8
"Friday through Sunday, that's where we'll see a real shift in the weather," says Erven.
A "storm packing a lot of moisture" is expected to arrive late in the week, she explains. On Thursday, Dec. 5, some showers are predicted, but the bulk of the precipitation will make it to Metro Vancouver on Friday, Dec. 6.
"Not everybody is a big fan of precipitation," says Erven. "But I'm sure there are a few lovers of rain out there, and that's what we have in the forecast come Friday night."
While the rain is not expected to affect those travelling, a significant amount could fall (and not just at midnight).
"There's a chance we could see some red areas on the B.C. map," says Erven, referring to Environment Canada's weather alerts map. "That would mean there's potential for rainfall warnings in Metro Vancouver."
For a rainfall warning to be issued, Environment Canada has to predict more than 50 mm of rain could fall within 24 hours.
"This is not too surprising, as December has a reputation of being one of the wettest seasons of the year," says Erven.
The bulk of the rain looks like it would occur later on Friday and into Saturday, she adds. Showers are expected to continue through Saturday, but by Sunday, Dec. 8, the system should be moving on and the last drop of rain will be dried off the pavement (for now).
"By Sunday we can shake it all off as the system departs," says Erven.
Temperature-wise, the rainy weather is actually expected to warm Vancouver up.
V.I.A.'s Weatherhood currently forecasts Yaletown (the neighbourhood next to BC Place) will see highs of 11 C (52 Fahrenheit) on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday slightly cooler at 8 C (46 F).
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
