The week in weather: Vancouver's hot and dry streak set to continue as July winds down

As July comes to a close, Vancouver is poised to rise in its own rankings for consecutive days without rainfall and consecutive days with temps of over 21 C, and there's a full week of hot, sunny days in the forecast.

Environment Canada calls for mainly sunny skies Monday (July 26), with a high of 25 C on the coast and 29 C inland, with a Humidex of 28 in the city and 32 inland, and a UV index of 8 (very high). 

It's the same for the rest of the week, forecasts the national weather agency, with sunny conditions through to the end of the month and daily highs in Vancouver of 24 to 26 C daily. In fact, as it stands, clouds don't roll into the picture until Sunday, August 1.

Vancouver forecast for the week of July 26, 2021. By Environment Canada

This current hot and dry streak has Vancouver set to topple records as well as move up historic ranks.

Weather historian and forecaster Rolf Campbell, who tweets as @YVR__Weather (Vancouver Weather Records🌤) updated where we stand as far as runs of humidity, rain-less days, and warm days go as of Sunday, July 25, and when we might surpass another level of ranking:

Following last month's deadly heat wave, this current run of uninterrupted sun and warm temperatures is proving enjoyable for many locals who are relishing the opportunities to enjoy summer activities in and around the city.

However, the heat wave has prompted Vancouver City Council to discuss ways in which local government can better prepare for a likely hotter future, including planting trees and placing or building water fountains, pools, waterparks and other infrastructure such as cooling stations in neighbourhoods that have little or no sources of refuge from the sun and heat. 

Heat waves like the one smashing all-time weather records across B.C. at the end of June will become more common and much worse. “We ain’t seen nothing yet. This is chump change compared to where we are heading,” said University of Victoria professor and former B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver on June 30.

With files from Mike Howell and Louise Dickson