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Metro Vancouver breaks 61-year-old rainfall record

Click to play video: 'Record rain causes flooding'
Record rain causes flooding
WATCH: Record rainfall is leading to flooding on B.C.’s south coast but, as Paul Haysom reports, some are welcoming the wet weather – Mar 29, 2017

A rainfall warning has now ended for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley but remains for Howe Sound Wednesday after record-breaking amounts of rain fell in the region on Tuesday.

So much rain fell in Metro Vancouver, it broke a record set in 1956.

The previous record was 25.1 millimetres at the Vancouver Airport. Yesterday, 29.6 millimetres of rain fell at the airport, breaking that 61-year-old record.

Global BC meteorologist Mark Madryga says in March the average precipitation at the Vancouver Airport is usually about 115 millimetres. So far, it is nearing 200 millimetres for this month with 195 millimetres of that being rain.

WATCH: Metro Vancouver sets weather records

Click to play video: 'Metro Vancouver sets weather records'
Metro Vancouver sets weather records

The current record for the most precipitation in March is 240 millimetres in 1997. The second wettest March was recorded in 2007 with 215 millimetres.

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Total rainfall amounts are still being calculated but some areas from Tuesday and into Wednesday saw between 40 millimetres to 70 millimetres of rain and as high as 90 millimetres along the North Shore and in Coquitlam.

On Tuesday, Squamish saw about 58 millimetres and Port Mellon recorded 103 millimetres.

Madryga says for 26 of the first 29 days this month, there has been some measurable rain or snow.

Environment Canada says the heavy rain will continue Wednesday before tapering off around noon.

Drivers should leave extra time on Tuesday as the heavy rain can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

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