Richmond sits in coastal British Columbia, where a mild oceanic climate brings Canada’s heaviest rainfall totals, driven largely by atmospheric rivers of moisture that arrive off the Pacific through autumn and winter.
Built on the Fraser River delta, much of the city sits below sea level and depends on an extensive system of dikes and pumps. These atmospheric river events, including the catastrophic November 2021 storm that caused widespread flooding and landslides across the region, can drop extraordinary rainfall totals in just a few days, making radar an essential tool alongside Environment Canada’s official warnings. Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map