June 2 - BC's summer weather forecast

Good morning !

We may not be having June weather yet, but the summer event schedule is well underway with a few major public festivities this weekend.

But once the summer season does get rolling, the heat won't be all fun and games. More on that below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 13 / 10 

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 14 / 11  

Day after: 🌧️ 13 / 10  

7-day forecast

NEWS

Hot summer expected for BC—but possibly not the Island

At a BC government press conference on Friday, an Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist laid out projections of a warmer- and drier-than-average summer for much of BC. That further exacerbates the drought and fire risk after a winter-spring that left BC with some of the lowest snowpack levels on record—and after a record-setting 2023 fire season and multiple summer droughts.

This week: Rain, then hot sun

A burst of wet weather to start the month is expected to bring as much as 75mm of rain to much of the west Island, with the interior getting around 50mm but only about 20mm coming to Greater Victoria. After that, though, the temperature will surge, rising above 20C on the Island and above 30 in the Lower Mainland later this week.

Island may escape much of BC summer heat

Unlike almost the entire rest of the country, we are in a western band projected to most likely remain near normal seasonal temp.s over the next three months. 

BC announces new heat-safety measures

The summer projection does not directly predict another extreme heat event like the one that killed 619 BC residents (including 48 Islanders) in 2021. But the province announced several changes line with the BC Coroner’s recommendations for preventing future deaths.

Moves cited on Friday include:

• 19K more free air conditioners distributed by BC Hydro, adding to the existing 6K.

• Tenancy law updates preventing landlords from banning AC units “without a rational basis or safety concern.”

• Emergency alerts sent to cells, radio, and TV for extreme heat events.

• An emergency supply for BC Housing of cooling and clean-air devices such as portable AC units and fans.

• Building codes requiring that at least one room in new builds is designed not to heat up past 26C.

• Highway overhead signs warning of extreme heat events (like for wildfires or road work).

• Improvements to care homes’ temperature and air-quality control systems.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Bear in Brentwood Bay seen walking around and into driveways. 

HarbourCats get first win of season, beating Kamloops 11-2.

Give deer plenty of space—but no food—during fawning season. [BC Gov]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria company leads $7M electric boat project

On Monday, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced the Canadian Electric Propulsion Acceleration Coalition (CEPAC) Project, aimed at establishing a domestic coast-to-coast manufacturing supply chain for electric boats.

To make the project scalable, the coalition includes boat manufacturers, providers of charging infrastructure, an electric outboard motor company, and an Indigenous deep-water testing facility.

Valued at $7M with contributions from partners, the project will be led by Victoria’s Photon Marine Canada, which develops and builds electric motor systems for commercial boat fleets. Photon cites the benefits of electric boats as efficiency, cost (they’re cheaper to own and operate), noise reduction, and (of course) the lack of emissions and oil changes.

Photon isn't the only South-Isand-based group taking part. Victoria’s Mostar Labs is a project partner and Malahat Solutions (which is partnered with the Malahat First Nation) has offered up its testing facility. That facility includes includes access to a deep water port, inlets, NATO designated underwater range, and a mountainous interior.

Greater Victoria’s “blue economy” already includes autonomous boats powered by wind and sun, and projects developing wave power.  Electric vehicles also hit a local milestone last week with the arrival of Victoria’s first electric fire truck. 

Read more at Victoria Tech Journal.

NEWS

Strawberry-themed event takes over Fernwood today

The Ichigo Strawberry Moon Market will bring 40+ artists and craft makers and 10+ food and drink vendors to the Fernwood Community Centre.

The family-friendly event is inspired by memories of growing up in Japan. The food and drink flavours hope to reminisce on nostalgic flavours and treats from Japanese cuisine. Many of the food vendors and artists will also take inspiration from strawberries.

Read more at Tasting Victoria about what's going on at the event.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌸 The Japanese garden at Royal Roads with its summer flowers blooming. [Instagram photos]

👷 Plumbers and Pipefitters reach your full potential with UA Local 324. Enjoy steady and stable employment, higher wages, healthcare benefits, pension plan, and more. Learn more.*

🐥 14 baby ducks try to get comfy. [Video]

🎭 Join Pacific Opera Victoria's unforgettable fundraiser, For All to Hear. Bid in the amazing auction and purchase tickets for an inspiring evening of music and art!*

🤝 Now hiring: Operations manager at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Giant teacup may be at bottom of Inner Harbour
Teacup boats race annually at this weekend's Oak Bay Tea Party. But one of the originals was lost some 35 years ago, former Oak Bay mayor Chris Causton says. He recalls fellow former mayor Brian Smith being rescued from one that capsized during a tourism stunt. [Oak Bay News]

Paper tickets phasing out in Nanaimo, Victoria, & Cowichan transit
Nanaimo will stop selling (but will still accept) tickets as of Dec. 1 as card and app fares take over. Vic and Cowichan could do the same as soon as Oct. 1, but Nanaimo's fare review (and hopes of salvaging the paper-ticket discount in some form) bumped its date back. [Times Colonist]

Pacific FC in Canadian Cup semifinals
The locals will once again face the big-league Vancouver Whitecaps in the national soccer tourney. PFC advanced with a 2-1 home win on Weds., handing Atlético Ottawa its first loss of 2024. In league play, Ottawa remains #1 while PFC has dipped to 4th. 

Cowichan Bay teen makes history with early entry to Junior hockey
Eli McKamey, 15, is the first player ever granted early eligibility for the BCHL; he’ll play in Penticton this fall. The young phenom chose the league partly to delay the choice between the NCAA (US college league) and WHL, where the Victoria Royals recently picked him 35th in the Bantam draft. [CBC] 

🗓️ Things to do

 🎡 Oak Bay Tea Party: The annual community event at Willows Park will feature amusement rides, a parade, and a floating teacup race. 10am-7pm Sunday.

🎵 Good Vibrations: Hear pop classics sung by the Starlight Pops choir at the Dave Dunnet Theatre at Oak Bay High School. Sun. 2:30pm. [Info]

🎙️ Somewhere: Hear selections from the great American songbook, performed by talented Island musicians at Hermann’s. Today. 7pm. [Info]

🌊 Ocean Week has educational events happening throughout Greater Victoria until June 9. [Check out the full schedule here]

🎈 Folktoria: This festival is back in Centennial Square with live performances, international food, games, and art. Sun. 11am-7pm. [Info]

🧑‍🚒 Wildfire Preparedness Day: Broombusters in Sooke leads the event at Stickleback Urban Trail Head near Journey Middle School on Ponds Park Corridor. 11am-1pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Electric fire truck arrives in Victoria. [Sat. newsletter]

Accessibility in Victoria & the CRD, from mobility mats to trail guides. [Capital Daily].

Robert Pickton dies after attack in prison. [Vancouver Sun]

Friday news: Lambrick Park reno? Pepper-spray arrests. Ironman artist wins own medal. [May 31]

PKOLS-Mt. Doug tower to go in trees, not parking lot. [Capital Daily]

See the rainbow colours of a jewel beetle up close. [Photos]

That’s it!

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