August 2025 was one of the hottest on record in Nanaimo, with a daytime average temperature of 20.5 degrees Celsius. Four new daily temperature records were also established at Nanaimo Airport last month. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

hot month

Nanaimo’s August was one of the hottest on record

Sep 3, 2025 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — August consistently produced hot weather locally, despite more rain than usual.

An average mean daily temperature of 20.5 degrees Celsius in Nanaimo last month far surpassed typical conditions of 18.2 Celsius noted Environment Canada meteorologist Matt Loney.

“It was the third hottest August on record for Nanaimo,” Loney told NanaimoNewsNOW.

August 2025 marks the third time in the last four years the mercury spiked higher than usual in Nanaimo for the month, with Aug. 2022 being the hottest on record, while Aug. 2023 was notably warmer than average.

Four daily heat records were set last month in Nanaimo: Aug 10, 11, 24 and 26, as extended ridges of high pressure blocked out clouds and sealed in warm air.

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“We had a couple periods of the month, but the extraordinary stretch was certainly from the last third of the month. We had a number of records set around the month, specifically Nanaimo.”

Loney added several B.C. communities in the Lower Mainland and interior reported their second hottest months of August on record.

While it was hotter than usual, more rain fell in August compared to what we usually see, with 35.8 millimeters of rain reported at Nanaimo Airport (average is 28.4 millimeters).

Consistent dumps of rain fell on August 4, 13 and 14., which helped suppress regional wildfire activity.

Loney said 35.8 millimeters of rain fell at Nanaimo Airport last month, beyond the average of 28.8 millimeters, ranking as the 32nd wettest August in history, dating back to 1892.

Aside from a hot start to September, Loney expects daytime temperatures to settle into the low 20’s by Friday.

He cautioned wildfire smoke is expected to drift south this week.

“We might see the threat of smoke making its way to the lower coast of B.C. over the coming days, so that’s something we’re certainly monitoring.”

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