If you thought it was hot out now, just wait.
Daily highs are forecast to rise to 29 C for the weekend and then on to 33 C on Monday and Tuesday in Prince George according to a five-day Environment Canada forecast issued Wednesday.
The norm for this time of year is 24 C and the respective records for Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 are 33.3 C and 34.4 C, both set in 1930.
Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau attributed the heat to a ridge of high pressure over the province.
"Ridges of high pressure aren't unusual this time of year but even considering that, this is a fairly strong one that's expected to persist into the beginning of next week," she said.
Temperatures approaching 40 C are expected in the southern interior although wildfire smoke could lessen the impact.
"Wildfire smoke can act to block incoming heat from the sun," Charbonneau said. "So that is the current wildcard."
Sun worshippers are urged to stay hydrated and wear sun block.
"Especially because this is a pretty prolonged period of hot weather," Charbonneau said. "Day after day can really lead to a build up of heat in buildings and things like that so definitely take the precautions necessary to avoid getting overheated."
Due to the hot, dry conditions a province-wide campfire ban remains in place. On the bright side, the chances of lightning strikes are pretty much nil for the time being.
"It's pretty stable with this ridge of high pressure sitting over us, it's kind of suppressing any kind of thunderstorm development," Charbonneau said.
However, she added the ridge is going to shift a little bit to the east in the coming days and might bring in some scattered thunderstorm activity. Monday and Tuesday are still a few days away and the forecast could change in the interim, she cautioned.
