As summer kicks off in B.C., warm weather is finally in the forecast

Warm weather is on the way for parts of British Columbia after a long spell ofcool weather, according to forecasters.

Armel Castellan, a meteorologist with Environment Canada,said Monday that June has been fairly cold and wet in large partsof the province.

That is set to changecome theweekend. Temperatures are forecast to hit a high of 22 C in Metro Vancouverand26 C inland on Friday withtemperatures in the 20s continuing intoSaturday and Sunday, according to Environment Canada.

Temperatures on Sunday could get into the 30sin Kelownaand Kamloops and as high as 25 C in Prince George.

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The rise in temperatureswill comejustshy of the first anniversary of last summer's heat dome.Between June 25 and July 1 of last year, temperatures rose above 40 C in many parts of the province, which led to 619 heat-related deaths, according to aB.C. Coroners Service report released earlier this month.

Castellan said the upcoming stretch of weather won't come anywhere close tothose historic highs. Temperatures won't be high enough to warrant a heat warning, he says, but Environment Canada may issue a special weather statement as the warm weather is coming on the heels of a lengthy cool spell.

"Technically, our heat really comes from that first week in July onwards, so it is a little bit early and it comes on the heels of a cooler signal," he said.

"So it will be something that a lot of people will feel will have some relevance to heat illnesses."

Castellansays the weather is going to affect river systems that are dealing with relatively high flows this late in the freshet season.

Dave Campbell, head of the River Forecast Centre, said last week that they believe the freshet runoff into rivers and lakes has reached its height, but snow is expected to continue melting for the next two weeks.

Campbellsaid the delay in snow pack melt this year means a greater risk of flooding will persist into July.

Meanwhile, the B.C. governmenton Monday released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather that sets off heat, wildfires and flooding.

Environment Minister George Heyman said the plan includes enhanced roles for the B.C. Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires.

Heyman saidthe province is creating a provincial flood strategy, an extreme heat preparedness plan and is working with First Nations to expand the practice of cultural and prescribed burning.

The government says it will invest more than half a billion dollars over the next three years to ensure the province is prepared to adapt to climate change impacts.