Lower Mainland heatwave not indicative of entire summer forecast: meteorologist
Posted June 23, 2021 9:03 am.
Last Updated June 23, 2021 6:40 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As the Lower Mainland is set to see potentially record-breaking temperatures this weekend, Meteorologist Michael Kuss says the early hot spell the region is experiencing isn’t necessarily what we’ll see over the next few months.
Vancouver 7 Day Forecast: A couple fresher days ahead before the heat returns. May not be able to find a spot at the beach this weekend. #Summer @NEWS1130 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/RT7ekVsnIb
— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) June 22, 2021
He says the pattern is closer to normal, with temperatures expected to perhaps be slightly higher than normal and conditions a bit drier than usual.
“Even though it’s been incredibly dry through spring and we’re seeing this early summer hot spell. It’s not really an indicator of what will come sort of mid-to-late summer,” he explained. “I would take all that we’re seeing right now and just throw it out the window. It doesn’t mean anything when it has to do with the summer forecast.”
It’s the water temperatures we’ll want to keep an eye on if we want to get a taste of what’s to come.
“If we start to see the water temperatures, the sea surface temperatures really warming up, that will be an indicator of warmer temperatures all the way through the summer,” Michael added, noting it’s still a little early to say for sure what the months ahead will bring.
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The Lower Mainland has been experiencing warmer than usual weather in recent days, with temperatures on Monday breaking several records.
There’s been a bit of a break in the heat with Tuesday and Wednesday bringing cooler weather. But that’s expected to end, with temperatures set to climb into the 30s through the weekend.
“The pattern that is setting up for the weekend is something we normally don’t see until late July, early August, where a massive area of high pressure floods across the province, pushing the jet stream up to Yukon, Northwest Territories and draws in some of that warm air all the way from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico,” Michael said Tuesday.
But Michael says there’s a chance of some reprieve from the sun next week.
“There’s a chance for showers on Tuesday and maybe a little up and down next week, but that’s no certainty, that’s for sure.”
