Seasonal weather conditions continued for most of the mid-Island in May, with seasonal or slightly below seasonal conditions predicted for the summer months. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

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NANAIMO — Spring weather has been relatively normal for the Nanaimo area in recent months, a stark contrast from last May, which saw the hottest temperatures for the month for the Harbour City.

Meteorologist with Environment Canada Chris Doyle said the mid-Island saw almost perfectly seasonable weather for May.

“The average of the normal highs and lows for the month worked out to 12.4 degrees (Celcius), and normally it’s 12.5. Precipitation was a little bit different. It was close to 90 per cent of normal precipitation. 48.5 millimetres was recorded, normally you would expect 54.3 so 89.3 per cent of normal precipitation for the month of May.”

For June, he said signals are pointing at a wetter-than-average month ahead, which could possibly extend into July and August.

While the month started with cooler conditions and rain, Doyle said things are expected to heat up near the end of the week, with communities Port Alberni possibly reaching 30 degrees by Friday.

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However, Doyle doesn’t think the mid-Island will see those kinds of temperatures anytime soon.

“A regular kind of warm-up, probably when we sort of formal week. So a little bit cooler for anything right by the Strait. But not unusual for June, not excessive, but certainly a nice break from all the rain we’ve been having.”

Looking ahead at the summer months, Doyle said it’s a bit of a tough call to predict what coastal B.C. will experience over the next few months.

He said current forecasting models divide the country through the Strait of Georgia, with temperature patterns similar on either side.

“It’s forecast to be warmer than average west of that line, which would include Nanaimo and Vancouver Island corridor,” said Doyle. “So you’re kind of on the anomaly boundary, and to me, that suggests that for Nanaimo proper, there’s a fair amount of uncertainty, but the tendency is probably close to or slightly below average for the summer months temperatures.”

The first day of Summer in the northern hemisphere is June 20.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

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