Put Your Parka's Back On - Winter is Back

Residents across the Lower Mainland shivered in their flip-flops Thursday as wet, wintry weather brought one of the coldest June days on record.

Yesterday's daytime high of 11.1 C, measured at the Vancouver airport, tied a record set on June 6, 1954. The second-coldest June day was also set in 1954 at 12.8.

June's weather is unpredictable, said meteorologist John McIntyre.

A charity-event golfer tries to stay dry during a drizzly round at Musqueam Golf Centre Wednesday. Things got even worse with the coldest June day on record Thursday.
Gerry Kahrmann - The Province

"It's a funny month. It's very volatile. You can get anything -- rain or it's hot or severe weather."

Environment Canada phones have been ringing off the hook during this "busiest week of the year," as the weather-watching office fielded calls from worried farmers, construction managers, movie-industry folks and residents yearning for a proper summer.

"Normally, this time of year, we should be getting 18 or 19 Celsius and we're nowhere close to that," said McIntyre.

The forecast offers little relief in the next few days as temperatures are expected to stay cool and several degrees below normal.

Snow was predicted at higher elevations in the Interior, with several centimetres expected to hit sections of Allison Pass, Kootenay Pass and Manning Park.

Drivers are warned to be cautious on the Coquihalla Friday, which is expected to receive a mixture of rain and snow.

The cooler forecast is partly due to remnants of weather phenomenon La Niña, which affects sea-surface temperatures.

Next week looks slightly better, with warmer air coming from the south on Monday, bringing a mix of sun and clouds.

chchan@png.canwest.com