According to the Weatherhood app's top five ranking for the day, the qathet region was the warmest region on Wednesday, May 22, with a high temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the late afternoon.
Temperatures in Vancouver and Whistler were also in the high teens today. Thursday through to Sunday the temperature is predicted to be a bit cooler and hover between 10 and 15 degrees during the day. The ultraviolet (UV) index is at moderate level of exposure today and the wind is gusting at seven kilometres an hour.
Winds in the qathet region can become quite gusty, causing trees close to shorelines and mountain ridges to appear as though they’re enduring a stiff gale, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Flag trees are typically coniferous and have been called a living weathervane, due to their branches and greenery pointing in the wind's direction.
"The trees form in areas with frequent strong winds blowing consistently from one direction,” stated ECCC. “The persistent buffeting of the wind leaves sparse branches on the upwind side, while those on the downwind side tend to stick straight out, like a flag extending away from the trunk of the tree."
ECCC added that this phenomenon can be observed worldwide, whether near the treeline on mountain ridges or in tropical regions where easterly trades blow nearly continuously year-round. In Canada, they can be found in the canyons of southwest British Columbia, or along the country’s numerous sea coasts and lake shores.
qathet Regional District includes City of Powell River and Electoral areas A, B, C, D (Texada Island) and E (Lasqueti Island).
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