Weather

The Murtle Lake wildfire,located within Wells Gray Provincial Park is shown in this handout photo provided by the BC Wildfire Service on Friday June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
**MANDATORY CREDIT **

Storms forecast to bring rain, but also a risk of winds, lightning, as wildfires rage

Weather shift coming for both Quebec and British Columbia

The Murtle Lake wildfire,located within Wells Gray Provincial Park is shown in this handout photo provided by the BC Wildfire Service on Friday June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
**MANDATORY CREDIT **
(Black Press file photo)

Tofino increases water restrictions as rain a no-show in May

Under Stage 2, outdoor watering of lawns, gardens, trees and landscaped areas is prohibited

(Black Press file photo)
Bright sunny days were the norm in Chemainus and around the Island most of May, with very little rainfall. (Photo by Don Bodger)

No one on the Island saw the rain that much in May

Precipitation less than half of the normal during the month

Bright sunny days were the norm in Chemainus and around the Island most of May, with very little rainfall. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Weather Network forecasting a potentially cooler summer. (Photo by Morf Morford)
Weather Network forecasting a potentially cooler summer. (Photo by Morf Morford)
A special air quality statement has been issued by Environment Canada for eastern Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo, due to smoke in the air. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Smoky air forecast to affect Vancouver Island’s east coast until tomorrow

Environment Canada issues special air quality statement

A special air quality statement has been issued by Environment Canada for eastern Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo, due to smoke in the air. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Severe thunderstorms are possible across the Okanagan, Shuswap and other parts of the B.C. Interior, says Environment Canada Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Black Press file photo)

UPDATE: Thunderstorm warning in B.C. Interior lifted

Environment Canada warns of strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain

Severe thunderstorms are possible across the Okanagan, Shuswap and other parts of the B.C. Interior, says Environment Canada Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Black Press file photo)
A stand-up paddleboarder powers through the water at Elk Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)

Record-breaking spring heat wave in Greater Victoria amps up again Wednesday

Daily temperatures hit new highs in North Saanich, Victoria

A stand-up paddleboarder powers through the water at Elk Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)
A stand-up paddleboarder powers through the water at Elk Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)

Record-breaking spring heat wave on Vancouver Island to amp up again Wednesday

Daily temperatures hit new highs in Comox Valley, North Saanich, Victoria

A stand-up paddleboarder powers through the water at Elk Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)
Overland flooding is seen as the swollen Bonaparte River runs through the Bonaparte First Nation while motorists travel on the Cariboo Highway, north of Cache Creek, B.C., on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Special weather statements covered much of British Columbia’s coastal and interior regions with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees in many communities on the weekend, but meteorologist Louis Kohanyi says they’re expected to peak today.	THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Experts foresee more heat waves outside summer as May hot spell grips B.C., Alberta

Scientists say Western Canada will likely see more of these kinds of heat waves in coming years

Overland flooding is seen as the swollen Bonaparte River runs through the Bonaparte First Nation while motorists travel on the Cariboo Highway, north of Cache Creek, B.C., on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Special weather statements covered much of British Columbia’s coastal and interior regions with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees in many communities on the weekend, but meteorologist Louis Kohanyi says they’re expected to peak today.	THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A man drinks a beer at Crab Park in Vancouver, on Saturday, May 13, 2023.Flood and fire risks in B.C.’s interior continue as unseasonably hot weather gripped much of the province this weekend, as some hard-hit communities grapple with potential evacuations and clean-up efforts from earlier weather events.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Several heat records broken over weekend as B.C. gripped by heat, fire, flood risk

Heat wave expected to peak today as high temperatures grip across much of the province

A man drinks a beer at Crab Park in Vancouver, on Saturday, May 13, 2023.Flood and fire risks in B.C.’s interior continue as unseasonably hot weather gripped much of the province this weekend, as some hard-hit communities grapple with potential evacuations and clean-up efforts from earlier weather events.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said conditions in the province this weekend are not expected to approach those reached during the heat dome of late June 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria breaks daily temperature record

Environment Canada recorded a new record of 28.2 C at the Victoria International Airport Saturday

  • May 14, 2023
Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said conditions in the province this weekend are not expected to approach those reached during the heat dome of late June 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Children cool off in the Salmon Street Springs fountain in downtown Portland, Ore., as a spring heat wave sweeps across the metro area, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian via AP)

Unusually early heat wave in Pacific Northwest tests records

Temperature at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was 28.9 C as of mid-afternoon Saturday

Children cool off in the Salmon Street Springs fountain in downtown Portland, Ore., as a spring heat wave sweeps across the metro area, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian via AP)
The City of Victoria will have added measures in place for summer heat events. (Black Press Media file photo)

Record-breaking heat to hit Vancouver Island: Environment Canada

Temperatures beyond 30 C expected for parts of the province

The City of Victoria will have added measures in place for summer heat events. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two out-of-control wildfires in northeastern British Columbia have nearly doubled in size in one day. A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, rises in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, Aug.15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

High temperatures in B.C. pose ‘threat of new wildfires,’ wildfire service warns

Weather improves, but northeastern B.C. has not received enough precipitation to eliminate hazard

Two out-of-control wildfires in northeastern British Columbia have nearly doubled in size in one day. A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, rises in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, Aug.15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A beautiful morning sunrise in Port Renfrew during April. (Photo by Theresa Bodger)

April cooler and precipitation above normal

Hail part of changeable conditions during the month

A beautiful morning sunrise in Port Renfrew during April. (Photo by Theresa Bodger)
A property affected by November flooding of the Nicola River is seen along Highway 8 on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hot spell hikes risks of flooding, avalanches and fire across British Columbia

Temperatures expected be at least 10 degrees above normal in many areas of the province

A property affected by November flooding of the Nicola River is seen along Highway 8 on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wind warnings cover much of coastal B.C. with gusts up to 110 km/h expected on April 20. (Environment Canada)

With gusts of 110 km/h expected, wind takes out ferries between Island and mainland

Midday sailings won’t run between Nanaimo, North Saanich, Tsawwassen

Wind warnings cover much of coastal B.C. with gusts up to 110 km/h expected on April 20. (Environment Canada)
Waves rage Monday (April 17) morning at the Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood. Environment Canada issued an official wind warning shortly before 10:30 a.m. with winds expected to abate by late afternoon. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

High winds up to 90 km/h battering Greater Victoria

Gust could cause damage across the region

Waves rage Monday (April 17) morning at the Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood. Environment Canada issued an official wind warning shortly before 10:30 a.m. with winds expected to abate by late afternoon. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Flames attack the hillside in Bonney Lake. (East Pierce Fire and Rescue file photo)

‘Expecting the unexpected’: Experts say it’s hard to determine how 2023 weather will compare to other years

Meteorologist, river forecast centre say week-to-week weather gives better insights

Flames attack the hillside in Bonney Lake. (East Pierce Fire and Rescue file photo)
Jump Creek reservoir. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo residents advised to be conscious of water use as spring progresses

Jump Creek at 91 per cent full, above average, snowpack at 2.4m, slightly below historical average

Jump Creek reservoir. (News Bulletin file photo)