Lightning storm disrupts YVR flights and sparks new wildfires

A powerful thunderstorm swept across B.C.’s South Coast on Saturday night, halting departures at Vancouver International Airport and contributing to new wildfire starts across the province.

YVR said all departing flights were grounded from 9:30 p.m. Saturday until 2:55 a.m. Sunday as a lightning threat prompted a red alert. Airside crews could not work during the alert, and arriving aircraft were unable to taxi to gates. Thirty-nine aircraft were waiting when the alert ended, with delays and some cancellations continuing Sunday.

Flooding occurred inside the terminal but did not affect operations, the airport said. Travellers were advised to check their flight status.

Environment and Climate Change Canada said an upper-level trough brought unstable conditions and numerous thunderstorms to southern B.C. The heaviest rain at the airport fell between 10 and 11 p.m., when 22.2 millimetres of precipitation was recorded. Meteorologist Gary Lee said 1,813 lightning strikes were recorded across the Lower Mainland and noted that thunderstorms are relatively rare at the airport, which averages 4.4 thunderstorm days annually.

The B.C. Wildfire Service reported more than 7,000 lightning strikes Saturday and more than 70 new fires in a 24-hour period. It said rain in many lightning-hit areas helped reduce fire behaviour and the likelihood of further starts.