British Columbians are bracing for an early-season stretch of summer heat with temperatures on the South Coast and parts of Vancouver Island forecast to reach the high 20s and low 30s this weekend.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement about the heat, which is expected to persist into early next week, particularly in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and parts of Vancouver Island.

"We are anticipating a strengthening ridge of high pressure over southern B.C.," said Derek Lee, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. "We're forecasting uninterrupted sunshine with temperatures building through the weekend."

Lee says Sunday and Monday could see daytime highs around 29 C for inland areas and 23 C near the water. He added that while such heat events

See Full Page