Hot summer weather arrives to Vancouver, most of B.C. following wet and cold spring

Make sure you slap on the sunscreen if you’re heading outside in the next few days, a special weather statement for sun and heat has been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for most of B.C.

Along the south coast, temperature expected to range between the upper 20’s to low 30’s depending on where you are.

It isn’t technically a heatwave, CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says, and luckily the overnight temperatures will offer some relief.

“It’s all sun today, and comfortable too, 21 to 26 degrees the cooler readings with the westerly winds near the water, drops down to 12 overnight,” Kuss said about Friday’s forecast.

A look at B.C. on Friday shows many areas are under a hot weather statement, which is the lowest level of the notifications issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. (weather.gc.ca)

Saturday might be the warmest day, Kuss says.

While temperatures are expected to cool slightly next week to below 30, away from the water, the Fraser Valley is expected to be even hotter, with parts of Surrey, Langley, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford set to stay closer to the hotter readings.

However, Kuss says the UV Index will be high.

“The sun is at its peak intensity across the northern hemisphere just a few days past the solstice, that combined with pretty good air quality over the next handful of days, the UV index is getting up to the very high range, so it’s dangerous to be outside and unprotected for even as little as 20 minutes,” Kuss says.

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Many communities have been preparing for the first blast of summer weather, after an unseasonably cool spring.

“With the onset of the heat, it’s not going to be like the heat dome of last year, but it’s a good barometer to make sure you have enough water and shade,” says Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove.

“And check on the seniors. If you live in a complex where there are seniors, check on them and make sure that they are doing okay because that’s very important,” he tells CityNews, adding he just wants people to be safe.

As of Thursday night, cooling shelters in the Fraser Valley community had yet to open up, but Popove says “plans are in the works.”

“From what we learned last time around, we had a lot of takeaways from that, so we will be a lot more prepared than last time, that’s for sure.”

Cooling centres are also not open in Vancouver, however, many communities have spray parks and outdoor pools ready for the first busy weekend of summer.

Sun is on the way & Port Coquitlam’s outdoor pools and spray parks are ready! ????‍ pic.twitter.com/RxHvTFch0F

— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) June 22, 2022

Kuss says those hoping to play in the great outdoors should be ready for those conditions.

“It’s camping season and it’s campfire season too. The forest fire danger rating remains low to very low across most of the province, it will edge up though to the moderate range in the tail end of the weekend,” Kuss said.

Read more: B.C.’s Seniors Advocate warning vulnerable populations as hot weekend nears for Metro Vancouver

Meanwhile, B.C.’s Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie has a number of recommendations for vulnerable populations, like seniors, to take care and stay safe this weekend. She says to stay out of the heat and wear a hat, hydrate and apply sunscreen.

“Make sure the blinds and windows are closed in the heat of the day and make sure you open them in the evening,” she added. “Families, make sure you check on people.”

When checking in, she also says it’s important to physically go and check on your loved ones as seniors have a hard time regulating their body temperature and the room could be warmer than expected.

– With files from Rebecca Johnstone and Claire Fenton