Warm weather is on the way to parts of British Columbia after a long cool weather, according to forecasters.
Armel Castellan, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Monday that June was relatively cold and humid in parts of the province.
That will change over the weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 22 C in the Vancouver subway and 26 C inland on Friday, with temperatures up to 20 to continue on Saturday and Sunday, according to Environment Canada.
Sunday’s temperatures could reach 30 degrees in Kelowna and Kamloops and 25 degrees in Prince George.
What happens when you get June, which feels more like January? CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstafe explains the phenomenon of June.
The rise in temperatures will come just after the first anniversary of last summer’s hot dome. Between June 25 and July 1 last year, temperatures rose above 40 degrees in many parts of the province, leading to 619 heat-related deaths, according to a report by the BC Coroners Service published earlier this month.
Castellan said the time ahead would not come close to these historic peaks. Temperatures will not be high enough to justify a heat warning, he said, but Environment Canada may issue a special weather statement as warm weather comes after long cool weather.
“Technically, our heat really comes from the first week of July, so it’s a little early and comes after a cooler signal,” he said.
“So this is going to be something that a lot of people will feel has to do with heat sickness.”
Castellan says the weather will affect river systems that deal with relatively high flows this late season.
Dave Campbell, head of the Center for River Forecasting, said last week that they believe fresh runoff in rivers and lakes has reached its height, but snow is expected to continue to melt over the next two weeks.
Campbell said the slowdown in snowmelt this year means a higher risk of flooding will continue in July.
Meanwhile, the British Columbia government released a new strategy Monday to prepare the province to deal with extreme weather conditions that cause heat, wildfires and floods.
Environment Minister George Heyman said the plan includes enhanced roles for the British Columbia Fire Service to prepare for and prevent fires.
Hayman said the province is developing a provincial flood strategy, an extreme heat preparedness plan and working with First Nations to expand the practice of cultural and prescribed incineration.
The government says it will invest more than half a billion dollars over the next three years to ensure the province is ready to adapt to the effects of climate change.
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