The drizzle that opened the weekend in Metro Vancouver will give way to a brief run of warmer, mostly dry conditions after a ridge of high pressure strengthens over southern B.C., Environment Canada says. Coastal highs are forecast near 24–25°C, while parts of the Fraser Valley and inland locations could climb above 30°C.
Weekend start: cool and damp, then turning sunnier
Friday began cool and wet following an evening thunderstorm on Thursday. Temperatures topped out at about 22°C on Thursday with a mix of sun and cloud before the late showers. Forecast guidance indicates a return to sunnier skies by Sunday as the high-pressure ridge builds.
What to expect early next week
Environment Canada meteorologist
“We're seeing a shift at the end of the weekend. On Sunday, we see a shift back into a ridge of high pressure, and we are expecting warm temperatures from Monday to Wednesday, possibly into Thursday as well. But Monday to Wednesday look like the hottest three days,”said Jenn Cowall.
The agency expects the strongest warmth from Monday to Wednesday. While coastal Metro Vancouver is not projected to challenge local heat records, inland communities in the Fraser Valley and the Interior could see the hottest readings, with some locations surpassing 30°C. The ridge may also contribute to record-setting heat in other parts of British Columbia.
Winds, duration and uncertainty
Saturday could start breezy at times, with gusts reaching about 20 km/h, before the ridge suppresses cloud and precipitation chances. Models agree on the ridge building through the coming week but diverge on when it will break down. Environment Canada noted that a breakdown of the ridge would likely usher precipitation back into the region, though the timing remains uncertain.
- Friday: cool, wet start; recovery through the day.
- Saturday: cloudy to partly sunny, gusts up to 20 km/h.
- Sunday to Wednesday: warm and mostly dry; coastal highs near 24–25°C, some inland areas exceeding 30°C.
| Area | Expected highs |
|---|---|
| Metro Vancouver (coast) | 24–25°C |
| Fraser Valley / inland | >30°C in places |
Safety guidance: when temperatures approach or exceed 30°C, residents—particularly older adults, young children and those with health conditions—should stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat, and use sunscreen and shade. Those in wildfire-prone or Interior regions should monitor local alerts if record or near-record heat is reported, as hot conditions can elevate fire risk.
Environment Canada cautioned that while the ridge is expected to hold through the coming week, model details on its eventual breakdown are not yet specific. That breakdown, when it occurs, could reintroduce cooler, wetter air to the region.
