Blueback Beach saw many people taking advantage of the nice May weather, as higher-than-average temperatures dominated for the majority of the month. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

hot and dry

Warmest May ever as Nanaimo breaks heat records early in the year

Jun 1, 2023 | 4:11 PM

NANAIMO — The Harbour City is once again breaking temperature records, as May 2023 was the hottest in the city’s history.

Meteorologist with Environment Canada Matt Loney said the monthly mean temperature for Nanaimo was 15.7 degrees Celsius, well above the normal of 12.5 degrees.

“It ranked number one on the warmest May’s of all time, and that record goes all the way back to 1899 so very significant 3.2 degrees above normal. We did have a slightly drier month than normal, although nothing earth-shattering, but warm and dry.”

Loney added the particularly hot stretch of weather the region experienced mid-month set multiple daily high temperature records.

“On the 14 and 15 of May, Nanaimo recorded two highest ever maximum temperatures. 32.0 on the 14, 31.7 on the 15, and those beat long-standing records from 1973. And again the records go back to the 1890s, so very significant temperature records.”

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May 14 appears to be a favourable day for weather records in Nanaimo, as May 14, 2022, recorded the lowest temperature ever for that day at 6.5 degrees.

Qualicum Beach also set a few high-temperature marks, with their records going back to 1962.

On May 14, the airport monitoring station reached 30.7 degrees, breaking their old record of 26.2 from 2018. The following day the region hit 32.3 degrees, crushing their old record of 25 degrees from 2006.

When it came to precipitation, Nanaimo only received about half the amount of rain as it would normally.

“Nanaimo received about 26.4 millimetres of rain during the month of May, normally we expect about 54 millimetres. That ranks 37th on the all-time list, but that list of records goes in excess of 130 years.”

A significant portion of rainfall came in two short bursts around the May long weekend then in the evening of May 31.

Looking into the start of June, Loney said so far, there isn’t a hint of precipitation in store.

While the region will likely see clear, dry conditions for the first week or so of June, forecasters are predicting a trough of low pressure will be hanging around the coast which could affect weather on the mid-Island.

“I wouldn’t completely rule out some influence…which would mean the potential for at least some cloudy weather and some showers, but I think the overall June signal is showing above-normal temperatures and normal to below-normal precipitation for the south coast.”

The Weather Network released their summer forecast earlier this week, warning wildfires in the west will remain “a major concern” due to expected higher-than-average temperatures across the country.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow