Break out the sun screen.
A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada most of the Lower Mainland this weekend.
The warning watch statement includes the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Inland Vancouver Island, Whistler and Metro Vancouver, including Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Hot weather is expected this weekend, according to Environment Canada, with temperatures hitting at least 32 degrees C away from the water.
A strong upper ridge of high pressure building over the province will result in a heat wave for the South Coast. Temperatures will peak this weekend with maximums of at least 32 C expected away from the water.
A few daily record high temperatures will likely be broken with this heat wave.
For example, the record high for Abbotsford is 31.4 C on Saturday and 32.0 C on Sunday.
Temperatures will begin to moderate on Monday as an onshore flow of cooler, marine air develops.
With the weather warming, Metro Vancouver is also reminding home owners to let their lawns go brown during the summer, and save themselves the chore of mowing it.
“A golden lawn doesn’t necessarily mean an unhealthy lawn,” said Darrell Mussatto, chair of Metro Vancouver’s utilities committee.
“By planning ahead, and by following expert advice on the website, you can help preserve your lawn during the hot summer months. It will green up again quickly in the fall when the rain returns,” he said in a release.
Metro Vancouver continues to push its message to the public to save water.
“If every Metro Vancouver resident started using a little less water this summer we could all make a big difference when it comes to our most precious resource,” said board chair Greg Moore.
Residents can visit WeLoveWater, which provides information on how to use a little less water during the driest time of the year.
Lawn watering regulations are in effect May 15 to October 15 in Metro Vancouver, which includes Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows:
Residential lawn watering allowed:
• Even-numbered addresses – Monday, Wednesday, Saturday – 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses – Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday – 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
In addition to lawn watering regulations, there are other water-use restrictions when Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Response Plan is active.
Outdoor car washing and boat washing with a hose with spring-loaded shut off nozzle only
Golf course operators requested to cut water use on fairways as much as possible
Artificial turf and outdoor tracks hosed for health and safety only
• Continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.tempetepacifique-pacificstorm.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.