April showers were a constant theme last month in Nanaimo as the most of amount of precipitation ever recorded fell in the month. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

wild weather

April showers lead to rainfall record set in Nanaimo

May 3, 2022 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — Those hoping April would kick start drier, spring-like weather were thoroughly disappointed.

With 164.8 millimetres of rain measured by Environment Canada at Nanaimo Airport, last month was the wettest April in 130 years of record-keeping.

“We would only usually see 67 millimeters, that translates to about 245 per cent wetter for the month of April,” meteorologist Derek Lee said.

The previous record for the most amount of precipitation in Nanaimo in April was in 1937 with 150 millimetres.

Not only was it consistently wet, but it was much colder than normal as well.

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The average temperature on the mid Island last month was 6.6 degrees, compared to the typical average of nine degrees.

“It was the eighth coldest April on history in Nanaimo,” he said.

April was a wild weather month with several rain-drenched storm systems, while thunder, hail and even wet snow impacted many areas of Nanaimo.

Lee said unstable masses of Pacific air impacting much of the province last month stalled over Vancouver Island.

“We didn’t stop seeing these systems pass through Vancouver Island and that’s why we saw so much of that consistent wetness and coolness for the month of April.”

Beyond a brief break from the rain in mid-month, Lee said it was consistently wet regionally, with the most of rain being about 10 millimeters on April 4.

Colder than average conditions were anticipated this spring under a La Nina weather pattern.

So far, May’s weather outlooks is following a familiar script with temperatures colder than normal and more rain anticipated.

“At the end of next week there could be signs of some sunshine and some warm temperatures returning as well, but for the meantime we’re definitely trending a little bit below normal with these rain showers ahead,” Lee said.

April 2022 was a stark contrast from 12 months prior, which went down as the fourth driest spring on record with around 35 per cent of normal precipitation.

It preceded a record drought and scorching temperatures through much of the summer months.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes