A sharp rise in temperatures across southern British Columbia will keep the fire danger high this week.

We are likely to see the warmest start to September on record for many locations in southern British Columbia, resembling September 2022.

DON’T MISS: September Forecast: Summer in Canada isn’t over yet

Stationary heating is also increasing the risk of forest fires in the province – as of September 4, 32 fires were deemed to be no longer containable.

Seasonal temperatures in early September vary across British Columbia. Average highs are typically around 20°C along the immediate coast, with typical highs in the southern interior being around 25°C.

Hot weather returns to British Columbia’s coast this week

This season, we have seen more than 1,500 fires in British Columbia, collectively burning more than a million hectares of land. Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of those fires were started by lightning, exceeding the long-term average of 58 percent.

The current number of lightning-caused forest fires is the highest since the 2008 forest fire season. As of September 4, 32 forest fires remain out of control and 214 are active.

Hot weather returns to the South Coast this week, with temperatures reaching over 30°C in inland parts. Locally, temperatures could reach 35°C in some areas, such as Port Alberni and parts of the Interior.

Due to high dew point temperatures, the Lower Mainland, especially inland in the Fraser Valley, will experience muggy conditions as winds from the south develop.

The warmest humidex on record is 40 for Abbotsford in September. On Thursday, the humidex there reached 37. Residents of Pemberton felt a wind chill of 38 on Thursday. That level of warmth is likely uncomfortable for some across the region.

The Coastal South is expected to remain dry into next week as the low moves closer to the coast, increasing the risk of rain. No significant rainfall is forecast for the Southern Interior for the next 7 days.

This is truly remarkable heat this late in the year.

Temperatures in towns like Osoyoos could remain in the 30s or above for the first 10 days of September, resembling a pattern we saw across the region in September 2022.

Stay up to date with The Weather Network for the latest weather conditions in British Columbia

SEE: September Forecast: Who’s Holding On to the Summer Heat?

Click here to watch the video