As the FIFA World Cup springs into gear, Metro Vancouver is going to see one of the warmest weekends so far in 2026, and BC Hydro is calling it a “heat wave.”
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), this weekend, which is just one week away from the official beginning of the summer season, will see temperatures reaching 30°C in parts of Metro Vancouver.
On Friday, June 12, ECCC expects a high of 20°C, though inland temperatures are expected to reach a high of 24°C.
Conditions are expected to heat up beyond that quite significantly beginning Saturday.
On Saturday, ECCC calls for a high of 22°C, but inland temperatures are expected to reach 29°C. ECCC also says that the humidex (or feels like) for Saturday is 30°C.
Sunday gets even warmer, with a high of 24°C but 31°C inland. On Monday, inland temperatures will cool slightly with a high of 29°C expected.
According to the seven-day forecast, by next Thursday, we’ll be seeing a much cooler high of 20°C, but it could feel warmer depending on what the humidex is that day, which we’ll find out next week.
ECCC
ECCC data shows that the normal for this time of year is 19°C, so these temperatures are slightly above seasonal.
Last year was much cooler around this time of year. On June 13, 2025, the high at Vancouver International Airport was around 18°C. A heat wave is generally defined as two or more days of abnormally warm weather, so the forecast definitely qualifies.
Is the grid ready for AC and FIFA?
M-Production/Shutterstock
Earlier this week, BC Hydro shared that the FIFA World Cup was expected to create a spike in energy usage due to a rise in watch parties at home.
A BC Hydro survey revealed that the soccer tournament could become one of B.C’s biggest at-home viewing events.
“That surge is being fueled by younger adults, with 73 per cent of Gen Z and 68 per cent of millennials planning to host or attend a watch party. These gatherings tend to be energy-intensive, with multiple screens, streaming devices and cooking appliances running at once to create a full game-day experience,” BC Hydro shared.
Despite the rise in usage, BC Hydro says it’s ready, including for this mini Metro Vancouver heat wave.
“A heat wave is forecast to begin Friday, peaking Sunday and Monday. Demand is expected to be highest on Monday, with peak loads forecast up to 8,500 megawatts. Demand could rise further depending on temperatures and World Cup-related activity, including cooling needs, watch parties and higher commercial use,” BC Hydro says.
All this to say, BC Hydro says the system is positioned to meet the demand, and that overall use is well below peak winter levels, when heating drives the highest demand.
Despite the warmer weather in Metro Vancouver, some B.C. highways were facing the potential for snow last week.