Recent scenes like this on Little Mountain near Parksville could be more regular occurrences. Environment Canada expects mid Vancouver Island is in line for a warmer than usual May, June and July. (Jo Dzierza)

By Ian Holmes

favourable forecast

Environment Canada expects warmer than normal summer for mid-island region

May 1, 2020 | 3:28 PM

NANAIMO — An Environment Canada projection could be viewed as softening the blow of having to spend the summer social distancing.

Meteorologist Doug Lundquist expects a warmer than average summer on mid Vancouver Island, stating their modelling shows May, June and July will be pleasant temperature-wise.

“There could be colder and warmer points throughout the whole three months, but certainly as a whole we think it’s the high likelihood of having warmer than normal temperatures.”

Lundquist said a stationary ridge of high pressure is a strong clue warmer weather will be a long-term fixture in the region.

“That ridge keeps us in that pattern of pumping warmer air in the area,” Lundquist said.

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He said it’s unclear if anticipated warm weather will be accompanied by extensive sunshine, noting precipitation can only be projected for the next seven to 10 days.

As for April, Lundquist said Nanaimo Airport saw 60 per cent of its normal rainfall with 41 millimeters, down from the typical amount of 67 mm.

He said there was no rain between April 4 and 17 in Nanaimo, which was a much drier than normal stretch for that time of year.

In Campbell River just 13.6 mm of rain was reported by Environment Canada in April, resulting in the third driest April since 1893 in the north island city.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes