A iew of Okanagan Lake from Vernon's Beachcomber Bay area on a June evening (Liam Verster / Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Monthly Weather Report

June was drier than normal in Vernon, with near average temperatures

Jul 2, 2024 | 3:00 PM

Despite the storms seen throughout the month, June was drier than normal in Vernon.

“Vernon was a bit of an anomaly because for most of the Southern Interior — think of like Kelowna or Kamloops — they got slightly less than average precipitation. Vernon, at the climate station that we have, picked up significantly less precipitation in June,” Chris Doyle, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, told Vernon Matters.

“On record for this last June was 26.1 milimetres. On average, that station gets 59.1 mm. So less than half the normal rainfall for the month of June at the Vernon station.”

The mean temperature recorded in Vernon during the month was 16.7 degrees, which Doyle said was “basically bang on” the average of 16.6 degrees.

The meteorologist added there were no weather records set in June.

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Meanwhile, Kelowna recorded 35.4 mm of precipitation and a mean temperature of 17 degrees, which Doyle said fell within the normal range of the month’s usual 45.9 mm of precipitation and a mean temperature of 17.6.

Doyle noted June of 2023 was very hot, and this past month was quite overcast, so that may have made it feel like it was a cool June this year.

Looking ahead to the early summer, the meteorologist said Vernon and the Okanagan should start to see the mercury climbing and the clouds clearing.

“There’s a ridge moving from the Pacific, it’s quite a strong ridge, it’s about as strong you would normally expect this time of year.” Doyle told Vernon Matters.

“So the temperature is on the uptick and the humidity is on the downtick, and as that humidity drops, the chances of showers diminishes.”

Doyle noted the rain showers and thunderstorm warning July 2 would likely be the last cloudy day for a while, as the weather agency forecasts sunny days with temperatures climbing to the lower- and mid-30s by the weekend.

Looking ahead to the rest of the summer, Doyle said similarly dry, hot weather should be expected for the North Okanagan through the season. He noted the summer forecast does show a higher risk of drought conditions worsening and fire hazards increasing.

As the temperatures rise, Doyle advises people take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.

“Keep yourselves protected from excessive sun: make sure if you’re out at the beach or out hiking or biking that you’ve got your hat, you’ve got your sunscreen, that kind of thing to keep yourself well protected from damage from the sun,” Doyle said, adding people should stay hydrated and do their best to keep their homes cool.

“A lot of people have AC, but if you don’t then you want to actively manage the heating conditions inside your home, so make sure that if you’ve got blinds or shades that you close them during the day and you open them fully in the evenings to let in the cooler breeze.”

Doyle also recommends people check in on those most vulnerable to the heat, including the elderly and people with mobility difficulties, when the temperature starts to rise.