‘Bit on the warm side:’ May one of the driest in Nanaimo’s history

Much of Vancouver Island is already facing drought conditions, with local municipalities implementing water-use restrictions.

Lang said Nanaimo also broke multiple daily high-temperature records during an early-May heat wave.

On May 2, Nanaimo reached 27.4 degrees, breaking the 2016 record of 27.0 degrees.

The following day, the temperature hit 28.1 degrees, eclipsing the old mark of 25.6 degrees set in 1946.

Then on May 4, the mercury hit 29.1 degrees, smashing the previous record of 26.4 degrees from 1980.

Qualicum Beach also set a new benchmark for the day with temperatures at the airport reaching 28.9 degrees, shattering a 2013 record of 23.5 degrees.

Lang said it’s tough to predict how June will play out, but they are expecting higher-than-average temperatures for most of the country throughout the summer.

She said it’s even more difficult to predict future precipitation levels in the summer due to several factors, including storm instability and surrounding weather patterns.

“For the next little while, looks to be a little bit on the warm side, cooling off to more average temperatures, and then maybe another bit of a warm-up next week. It does show a chance of showers coming in on the weekend, and then again next week, so maybe bringing some relief.”

Lang said dry conditions mean being extra cautious when having a campfire in permitted areas and ensuring flammable items are disposed of safely.

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by Jordan Davidson

‘Bit on the warm side:’ May one of the driest in Nanaimo’s history

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