Enjoy whatever rain might fall this week because beyond the weekend the possibility of precipitation remains uncertain into September.
Vancouver Island remains stuck what is shaping up to be the driest summer on record.
Rainfall for May totalled just five millimetres, June saw 7.6mm and July so far has collected seven millimetres compared to normal monthly rainfalls of 54, 43 and 25 millimetres respectively.
“The various storms we’ve been tracking across the province just continue to track north of the south coast and Vancouver Island,” said Matt MacDonald, Environment Canada meteorologist.
That leaves the Island in an extreme drought condition with no relief in sight, MacDonald said, adding it would take an additional 120 millimetres of precipitation to equal normal rainfall for the period.
MacDonald said forecasts into September call for continued higher than normal temperatures after some rain and cloudy weather this week.
“I ran some stats and this is the driest three-month period on record and records started in 1901. The driest three-month stretch in 114 years,” MacDonald said.
Nanaimo still has enough water to last until October with current usage and water restrictions. The city imposed Level 2 water restrictions June 15.
Geoff Goodall, manager of engineering and public works, said Tuesday Nanaimo’s Jump Lake reservoir was at about 82 per cent of capacity and that overall daily water consumption is about 56 million litres. The city isn’t considering moving water restrictions to Level 3, but is encouraging people to not water if possible. The city has also reduced watering at play fields and facilities.
“If we don’t think we need it, we’ve cut those systems off,” Goodall said.
Lantzville went to Stage 4 water restrictions July 11, strictly limiting any outdoor watering. The Regional District of Nanaimo is reporting a 50-per cent drop in water use the week after it enacted its Level 4 water restrictions July 9, which prohibits car and driveway washing and lawn watering.
“We’re going to be pushing to maintain that throughout the rest of the summer as the potential of two or two and a half months with no significant rainfall and recharge to our systems,” said Julie Pisani, drinking water and watershed protection program coordinator.