With about six weeks to go before the longest day of the year and the official start of summer, weather-wise we’re already there.
The weekend forecast is calling for hot days with highs in the low 30s C, twice as warm as it normally is this time of year.
A high pressure ridge is bringing warm air and sunny skies to most of the province and records all over B.C. could fall.
If we reach the predicted high of 29C for Saturday we won’t set a record for May 13 (it was 31.7 C in 1924), but on Sunday – Mother’s Day – if we reach the projected high of 33 C it would eclipse the all-time time high for Prince George on that date (30.6 in 1924).
Another scorching 33 C day is in store for Monday, which would shatter the record of 27.8 C set in 1925.
The hottest May day ever in Prince George was May 29, 1983, when it hit 36 C. Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said it won’t get that hot, but Sunday and Monday will probably be among the top-five hottest days ever for the month.
Castellan said the above-average, dry conditions are expected to last throughout next week as well.
“This ridge doesn’t seem to dissipate quickly,” Castellan said. “It’s going to drop off again Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (next week) but quite slowly so you’ll still be well above seasonal.”
The average high-low for this time of year is 15.7 C and 2.2 C.
Last week’s dust advisory in Prince George has been replaced by a smoky skies bulletin air quality statement. Smoke from wildfires in northeastern B.C. and northern Alberta is drifting westward to the Central Interior and that advisory will be in effect for at least the next two days.
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone, even in low concentrations and people are advised to avoid strenuous activity, especially when outdoors. A website maps predictions of where the smoke will be and how bad it will get.
The heat is also contributing to rapidly rising rivers and streams. The BC River Forecast Centre on Tuesday issued a high streamflow advisory for the Fraser River from Prince George to Quesnel.
Flood watches on the Upper Fraser River tributaries upstream from Prince George including the McGregor, Willow and Bowron rivers and their tributaries were downgraded to high streamflow advisories.
