Summer temperatures and smoky skies are anticipated to converge over Greater Victoria midweek, intensifying early Wednesday (July 16) morning.
Particles are expected to flow over over Vancouver Island starting as early as midnight Monday (July 14), according to the BluSky Canada smoke forecasts.
The program at firesmoke.ca shows interactive forecasts of hourly and daily averages and daily maximum concentrations of PM2.5 particles – fine inhalable particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less – at ground level from wildfires.
Levels are expected to intensify, peaking around 5 a.m. Tuesday before dissipating through the day. Wednesday early morning is anticipated to see even higher amounts of particulates – potentially reaching 120 micrograms per cubic metre on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, according to the program produced by the Weather Forecast Research Team at the University of British Columbia.
Temperatures in Greater Victoria over the same time frame – Tuesday through Thursday – will likely reach 28C, according to Environment Canada. Higher temperatures are expected up Island with Nanaimo and traditional hot spot Port Alberni looking at 32C.
The provincial air quality data shows an expectation of increasing fine particulates, yet remaining in the low risk category, through Tuesday night, as far as the forecast extends.
Find the provincial air quality index online here.
Across the province, there were 72 active wildfires as of 2 p.m. Monday, according to the BC Wildfire Service. With smoke knowing no borders, the wildfire smoke map also takes into account blazes burning in the U.S. and other parts of Canada.
