Get ready for the heat, as warmer temperatures are expected for Vancouver Island this week.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, they are seeing a blocking pattern in the atmosphere, where the airmass is warming and drying at the same time.
With most of the weather expected to get pushed up north, warning preparedness meteorologist Armel Castellan says it will go all the way around Western North America.
“We’ll give a chance for temperatures to build day after day, night after night and actually get into the areas we will likely be issuing heat warnings,” said Castellan.
“The indications are that we are looking at a fairly long duration, where the temperatures get into those upper 20’s for the east side of Vancouver Island.”
Castellan says Lake Cowichan, the whole spine of the Island, Gold River and Port Alberni will have the hottest temperatures during the heat event.
Places like Campbell River, Nanaimo, Comox, Duncan, Powell River, and Victoria will also see increased temperatures, ranging between highs of 29 to 31 degrees.
He says because the Salish Sea and Pacific Ocean affect localized weather, the closer you are to the water that’s not going to be in extreme temperatures, the more moderate the heat event will be.
“If you are closer to the water, you will see temperatures that go up to those mid to upper 20’s, but if you are further away, then the temperatures will be closer to 30,” said Castellan.
“By Monday, we could see temperatures above 30 degrees even on the eastern side of the Island.”
He adds by Saturday, we should be at near-peak temperatures, lasting into Sunday, with temperatures still looking to be close or the same as Saturday to start next week.
For when the ridge will move from BC, their best estimate is Wednesday next week.
“It’s a moderate risk, not an extreme one, but it is still something to be aware of.”
