FEATURED by Shane Chevalier

Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Last updated on August 4, 2023.

UPDATE –

A break in the natural heat is now in the forecast. Cloudy conditions along with rain is to be expected next week.

After nearly two weeks of cooler weather summer temperatures are returning this week for much of northern BC.

A thunderstorm during the overnight and an early morning thunderstorm brought some more much needed rain to the Prince George region. Rain will continue to fall for much of the morning. More thunderstorms are possible for today and into this evening but they are not expected to be severe.

Over the next 7 days, temperatures will be between 25 and 29 degrees in the PG region. The long range forecast suggests even more daytime heat up until at least August 12, 2023. Showers and rain could move in for a few days of reprieve. Night time temperatures will dip, as normal for August, down to between 8 and 10 degrees. Early morning fog is also a possibility as we progress further into the month.

Despite the cooler wet weather for the northern half of BC, drought conditions are now at level 5 for much of the province, including here in Prince George. Unfortunately with the upcoming return of natural heat, drought conditions will persist for the foreseeable future. Drought conditions are now more than likely to have an adverse affect in many regions over a period of time.

The wildfire front here in the Central Interior and northern parts of BC has slowed down, however, many known fires still remain out of control despite not making news headlines as they once did.

The cooler weather has helped the Donnie Creek wildfire north of Fort St. John. So much so that the BC Wildfire service has modified its response to this fire as of August 1 and has turned the fire response back over to the Fort St. John fire zone. This will free up wildfire fighters to move into other areas where wildfires rage near communities in the southern part of the province. The south has not had the same cooler weather that the north has experienced the last few weeks. The long range forecast for this region has no wet weather in sight.

A campfire ban remains in effect for the entire province of BC. Last week the BC Wildfire service said it would end the campfire ban for the Prince George Fire Centre due to the cooler weather but has since changed its mind due to the upcoming return of heat and public backlash. Majority of BC residents want to keep the campfires banned until fall and that is likely going to stick.

Well that is it for this weather update. If you plan to travel this upcoming long weekend, please take it easy on the roads as this is the busiest long weekend in BC.

Have fun!