The South Coast received a much-needed dose of rainfall and cool weather over the weekend, bringing some relief for the region’s reservoirs and lowering the fire risk in the tinder dry forests.
According to Environment Canada, a total of 31.3 mm of precipitation was recorded at the agency’s weather station on Deadman’s Island in Stanley Park. 14.5 mm fell throughout Friday and another 16.8 mm fell during Sunday morning’s rainstorm.
So far this month, 33.4 mm of precipitation has been recorded in Vancouver Harbour – just shy of the month’s historical average of 35.6 mm.
This contrasts with the recorded precipitation in June, with just 7.4 mm during a month that sees an average of 53.8 mm.
Officials at the Metro Vancouver Regional District have stated that 150 mm of rain is required to restore reservoir levels to 100 per cent. As of last Tuesday, reservoirs were 69 per cent full.
Substantial precipitation accumulations were also recorded in Abbotsford, with 48.2 mm was recorded since Friday. However, Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton – where the fire risk is greatest – received roughly half of what was recorded in Vancouver Harbour.
Because of an El Niño forming in the Pacific, meteorologists are predicting significant warmer than normal temperatures for the summer months in the West Coast of Canada from southern Vancouver Island upwards to Yukon and as far east as Alberta.
Residents in Metro Vancouver are reminded that Stage 3 water restrictions are in effect until further notice.
The last time severe drought conditions occurred was in 2003 when one of the driest summers in memory led officials to mandate lawn sprinkling to just one day per week in early August.
Sunny and warm temperatures are expected to return to Metro Vancouver this week. Temperatures will increase dramatically beginning on Wednesday and an inland high of 31°C is expected this weekend.
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