Meteorologist predicts rain, cool temperatures, winds near Fort Nelson

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Environment Canada Meteorologist Brian Proctor says some “instability” in the weather is set to hit the Fort Nelson region in the next three to four days, including elevated chances for showers.

“It’s possible we’ll see a few thundershowers around [Wednesday] afternoon in Fort Nelson itself, and those conditions may continue into the evening, and likely a few showers over the next couple days,” Proctor explains.

That’s good news for firefighters as they deal with a series of wildfires approaching the town. 

Proctor says he expects the most rain to accumulate slightly to the south of Fort Nelson proper.

“That’s likely going to hold into the weekend, and we’ll start to see things warm up again at the start of the next work week, so Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.”

He says that at this time of year, the average daytime temperature in the Fort Nelson area is about 17 degrees Celsius, and during the next few days, it should fall below that average.

“We’re looking at a definite change. A little bit of a cooldown, a little bit of a better chance of precipitation, but still seeing a little bit of wind over there, especially over southern sections of the Fort Nelson region.”

Proctor says that wind will likely come from the north, pushing the Parker Lake wildfire away from the town site but potentially pushing the Patry Creek wildfire closer.

The two blazes, both labelled “wildfires of note” by the BC Wildfire Service, have led to evacuation orders being issued for the town.

Evacuees have been invited to a meeting being held at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John on Wednesday, May 15th, at 3:30 p.m.

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Rob Fraser, Fort Nelson First Nation Chief Sharleen Gale, and representatives from BC Wildfire Service, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and the Fort Nelson Emergency Operations Centre will all be in attendance.