It’s hardly the best of times for Vancouver Islanders right now, but Mother Nature is doing what she can not to add to gloom.
It looks like pretty much the entire length of the Island is in for a run of mostly sunny weather.
Bobby Sekhon, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said a high-pressure system has settled over much of south Vancouver Island right up to Campbell River that will bring mostly sunny skies to the area into next week.
He said the one blemish in the forecast could happen on Friday when it’s expected to be mainly cloudy, but there is no precipitation forecast at least up to the middle of next week.
Port Hardy (which could see showers Friday) and Ucluelet will be a few degrees cooler, but can also expect clear skies.
“We can expect seasonal temperatures, around 15 C to 17 C, in the day and cooler at night over the next two weeks, and daytime temperatures may event flirt with up to 20 C in some areas of the Cowichan Valley, depending on where you are,” Sekhon said.
“The UV index is expected to be rated at about 5, which is moderate. During that time and people are advised to wear protection, like sun screen and sunglasses, when outside.”
Officials are concerned the warm weather and holiday weekend may combine to relax people’s commitment to social distancing and urging Islanders to enjoy the weather at home and within your household unit.
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As for the longer-range forecast for the next few months, Sekhon said it’s expected that temperatures could be slightly above normal over that time, but it’s difficult to predict precipitation beyond a few weeks.
“But it’s hard to predict what kind of spring and summer we’re going to get this year because there is no El Niño or La Niña expected to influence the weather during the area’s warmer months,” he said.
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robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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