A balanced perspective of this region

Someone pointed out to me that my blog seems to mis-represent the benign climate we enjoy here on the southwest coast of Canada. I have over-represented the local mountains with their snow and glaciers. I suppose it is true that as transplant who lived most of my life in eastern and central Canada, I have been drawn to the high exotic arctic tundra and gnarly snowy peaks that are within a day-trip from Bowen Island.

I did write an essay for Quora about what I find attractive about this region What are the must-see places when visiting Vancouver.

So for contrast, here this week, is a glimpse of the blossoms on one of trees beside my home — late this year because the temperature has remained cool this spring. This morning, as I write, it is sunny, breezy, and 14ºC.

That’s about to change. Environment Canada has posted a Weather Statement. (I think a statement is a notch below warning. It has a grey background instead of red.)

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

5:15 p.m. PDT Thursday 11 May 2023

Unseasonably hot weather will develop over coastal BC beginning Friday.

Timespan: Friday through Tuesday.

Hazards: Daytime highs reaching into the high 20s to low 30s with overnight lows in the low to mid-teens.

The South Coast and inland areas of the north and central BC coast will experience unseasonably hot weather beginning on Friday. The highest temperatures are expected on Sunday and Monday.

Daytime highs will be 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above seasonal values while overnight lows will be 5 to 10 degrees above what is normally experienced this time of year.

Freezing levels will rise throughout this event leading to increased snowpack melting with possible local flooding due to high stream flow levels.

With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat related illnesses will increase.

While the developing heat may result in daily temperature records being broken, it must be emphasized that the expected hot conditions will not approach those reached during the “Heat Dome” of late June 2021.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.