Metro Vancouver braces for World Cup heat ahead of rain next week
Clear skies and temperatures 4-8°C above normal this weekend; moisture possible Friday, rain by next Thursday.
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Metro Vancouver is in for a warm, dry World Cup kickoff weekend — but the sunshine won't last long.
A ridge of high pressure pushing in from the south is clearing showery weather and bringing warm air with it. Temperatures are expected to reach or exceed seasonal highs across the region starting Thursday, with highs of 23°C inland. By the weekend, as fans head to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival, daytime highs will reach 22°C on the coast and up to 28°C inland — perfect weather for outdoor watch parties.
Sunday and Monday will be the hottest days, with highs of 24°C on the coast and up to 29°C inland. Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Kowal said the warm trend will stay through Monday before cooling back to seasonal norms (around 20°C for Vancouver highs) on Tuesday.
The first signs of rain are possible as early as next Thursday, with a system approaching from the Pacific. Forecast confidence increases for Friday, when Environment Canada is predicting 5 to 10 millimetres of rain. A larger weather system will push the warm ridge out early next week, ending the dry stretch.
For now, World Cup fans should enjoy the clear skies and warmth — conditions have been rare for Vancouver this early in summer.