Smoke continues to linger in the Okanagan as fires burn across the province.
According to Environment Canada, smoke in the valley today is from large fires near Pemberton.
“The smoke is from the Pemberton fires, that started to drift eastward yesterday,” explains Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Coldwells.
“Since the upper ridge is so strong, it is oppressive, sort of like being stuck under a cup, it is not going to let anything disperse into the atmosphere. So, because the smoke is heavy, it just settled right into the valleys.”
In the satellite image above, you can see how the upper ridge pressure is causing the smoke to sit in all the valleys as it moves eastward.
“You can almost pick out every valley because of the smoke,” says Coldwells.
Unfortunately, Coldwells says, it's here to stay for a few days.
“It will stay around for the better part of a week,” explains Coldwells. “The weather pattern is that dominant and oppressive upper ridge, which isn't moving.”
On the bright side, Coldwells says it is not expected to create the extreme air quality issues residents in the Lower Mainland experienced.
However, the Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority have issued a smoky skies advisory for the entire Okanagan, Similkameen and Boundary
“Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change,” states the advisory.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health-care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and lung or heart disease.
While temperatures are remaining above 30 C, Coldwells says the smoke will prevent the heat from breaking any records, as previously expected.
“Because the smoke reflects sunlight, it actually cools the temperature by a couple degrees,” says Coldwells. “If the smoke cleared, which it likely won't, we would likely end up with record-breaking temperatures again.”
Better forest firefighting weather is on the way. Coldwells says a new weather front is right around the corner.
“The upper ridge does look like it is finally moving off by Saturday, and the flow becomes more southerly, which will bring moisture up,” says Coldwells. “Unfortunately, that also means the thunderstorm activity will increase, which means there will most likely be some lightning with the showers that will happen.”
She says temperatures will drop below 30 C by the beginning of next week and more unsettled systems will bring scattered showers.
“Some more shower activity and not severe thunderstorms either, just sort of a nice sprinkling shower,” says Coldwells.
For tips on how to stay safe in smoky conditions, check out the Interior Health tip page here.