It’s going to be hot, hot, hot in Vancouver this week.
Environment Canada Monday issued a heat warning for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Temperatures are expected to hit the mid-20s at the airport, which is always cooler because it’s right on the water, and as high as 32 inland Monday and Tuesday.
“You don’t have to go very far from the ocean for you to feel that heat,” said meteorologist Matt MacDonald. “Even going from Stanley Park to the downtown core you feel the temperature climb and then you get out to East Van and New West and the mercury continues to climb.”
Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Hope are expected to see temperatures in the low to mid 30s, he said.
MacDonald said it’s not just higher daytime temperatures that spark a heat warning. Overnight lows are also taken into consideration.
“We do have very specific heat warning criteria,” he said. “We need two consecutive days or more of daytime highs of 29 degrees or higher and then the overnight lows are also part of this equation, they have to be higher or equal to 16 degrees Celsius.”
Temperatures aren’t expected to drop below 16 degrees Monday and Tuesday nights.
“The heat warning will remain in effect throughout the day Tuesday and then we’ll probably take it down tomorrow evening once the forecast high for the day has been reached, which is usually around 5 p.m. That’s the hottest time of the day,” MacDonald said.
We’ll see a reprieve from the heat mid-week but hotter temperatures will return this weekend with a forecasted high on Sunday of 26 degrees at YVR and up to 30 inland.
While temperatures are slightly above average for this time of year, it’s not record breaking.
“We’ve definitely seen temperatures way higher than this,” MacDonald said, adding that the temperature record for July 16 is 29.4 degrees, which was set in 1941.
The hot, dry weather isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
“We’re into a prolonged dry spell here and the temperatures are indeed expected to remain above normal for the remainder of the summer,” MacDonald said. “For those who like it hot and dry, it’s good news.
“We’ll have to see how it all plays out but current indications are that this summer will be warmer than normal, dryer than normal but probably not record breaking.”
The City of Vancouver has a number of tips for staying cool in hot weather, including cooling off in an air conditioned community centre or library. In addition to the many water fountains found throughout Vancouver, the city also installs a number of additional temporary water fountains during hotter weather.
Community centres in the Downtown Eastside will have water and sunscreen available, and push-button misting stations are available at Oppenheimer Park, Thornton Barnes Park, Emery Barnes Park and Andy Livingstone Park.
jkerr@vancourier.com
