Summer-like conditions likely to leave us Friday: Environment Canada

KAMLOOPS — The end of the elongated summer is nearly here.

Environment Canada forecaster Derek Lee says the days of sunshine and 20-degree warmth will likely be gone by the end of the work week.

Before that, though, Lee is predicting a few smoky days in the Kamloops area, thanks to a flow of air from the south.

“This flow is kind of bringing up smoke from the Washington state forest fires that have been ongoing into the Kamloops region,” Lee told CFJC Today. “As a result, we are looking at local smoke materializing in the forecast for (Tuesday) and even into Wednesday.”

“We are looking at it only impacting us on Tuesday and Wednesday because after that period we will get a westerly flow,” he continued. “The westerly flow means we’re going to get cleaner air from the Pacific Ocean that will kind of push that smoke out. With that westerly flow is when we’re going to make the switch to our more fall-like pattern.”

Unseasonably warm and sunny conditions have been the norm in the B.C. Interior throughout September and October. That has led to drought concerns and extended burning bans.

Lee says the transition to typical fall conditions is likely to begin on Friday.

“As we head to the end of the work week — so beginning Friday — our temperatures will continually drop into the weekend,” said Lee. “We’re looking at, possibly, temperatures even cooling down to almost 10 degrees (Celsius), which makes it below seasonal for this time of year. Hand-in-hand with that cloud forecast and those showers, the cooler weather will definitely return.”