Drought and wildfire relief with days of much-needed rain in B.C.
Unsettled weather and below normal temperatures are forecast to impact all of B.C. this May long weekend
A wet start to the May long weekend may dampen some outdoor plans, but the rain is much-needed across British Columbia to at least temporarily improve the wildfire danger.
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This active pattern will persist through early next week, and while no major storms are expected, a series of systems will bring in several rounds of rain showers. The rain will be quite widespread across the province, with substantial rain totals forecast, including southern areas.
Rain picks up across B.C. for Friday and Saturday of the long weekend
A dry winter has left B.C. running behind ahead of the wildfire season, though with some hope for precipitation on the horizon.
This long weekend will certainly feel very spring-like, with below normal temperatures and unsettled conditions.
A low pressure system to the north will first move rainfall across the entire west coast, sweeping the coastline through much of Friday and Saturday.
Rainfall chances across the Lower Mainland will grow on Friday afternoon, becoming more steady through the evening hours.
On Saturday, the rain becomes heavier, but more scattered across the province.
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A widespread 10-20 mm of rain is forecast through Sunday, with areas along the coast likely to pick up closer to 50 mm.
Daytime high temperatures will be trending below normal for much of the long weekend, as well. Vancouver's normal for this time of year is 17°C, but this weekend we'll see daytime highs range between 12-15°C, especially under the clouds, northerly flow, and rainfall.
Kelowna’s normal daytime high should be 20°C, but this weekend will range from 13-17°C, knocking down normals by about 2-5°C.
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While this unsettled pattern may impact outdoor long weekend plans, it should help to temporarily improve the wildfire weather, with cool temperatures and moisture spreading through.
It could also help to slightly improve the drought conditions, which were listed as 'dry to severe' across northern sections of the province late last month.
