Weather Eye: Brace self for hot, humid, smoky weather for a few days

If Vancouver reaches 100 degrees today, it will only be the fourth time in the month of September in our weather history going back to 1891. Previously we peaked at 102 degrees in 1944, 100 degrees in 1987 and 103 degrees in 1988. It will be a rough goal to achieve as the record high for Sept. 5 is 102 degrees set in 1944 degrees.

I started off my column with the word “IF” because even with an extremely warm air mass aloft and an easterly flow out of the Gorge, there is plenty of wildfire smoke that is forecast to shroud our skies today. If the haze is thick enough, it could hold the forecasted high of 101 degrees down a few degrees.

Regardless, if we escape triple digits, it will be a miserable day to be outside. Hot, somewhat humid and smoky. One could see wildfire smoke and haze developing Wednesday over the region. The hot weather continues Friday with highs forecast to be near 100 degrees again and with more smoke.

The hot ridge of high pressure will slowly wander to the east helping to cool things down over the weekend. Saturday should still make it to 90 degrees or higher and into the 80s on Sunday. We will easily surpass the warmest monthly temperature of 86 degrees reached in September 2023. No heat waves in September last year. I investigated upcoming October weather in Vancouver going back to 1891 and the warmest high was 90 degrees set in the warm year of 1988.

If this month continues to be above average in temperatures it could be the warmest September in 36 years. Forecast models do turn the heat down next week with seasonal highs and even a risk of a rain shower. I certainly wouldn’t say this is the last of the summer heat for the month but right now nothing is on the horizon. Forecast models going into later next week differ with higher rain chances and others with warm and dry conditions.

That is the usual pattern in September, riding the roller coaster as the weather pattern off the Pacific begins to shift into autumn mode. September is our third-wettest month, and the fall rains begin sometime in October.

Take good care as there is an excessive heat warning out for today and Friday. See you Saturday.