As heat warnings extended across most of British Columbia, the province saw more than a dozen temperature records fall or be tied on Tuesday.
Preliminary data shared by Environment Canada revealed 14 records for July 26 fell or were tied because of the heat, with most of the previous records decades old, including one from the late 1800s.
Abbotsford broke its previous temperature record of 33.6C, which was set in 1998, by registering 35.4C on Tuesday. Victoria’s record also fell after temperatures soared to 31.5C. The city’s previous record, set in 2019, was 30.5C.
Agassiz equaled his temperature record of more than a century ago. In 1899, a temperature of 35.6C was recorded in the area, that’s how hot it got on Tuesday. Records have been kept at Agassiz since 1889.
Other high temperature records that have been broken or tied, according to Environment Canada data, include:
- Bella Bella Zone – new record of 33.6, old record of 27.3 set in 2009.
- Cache Creek District – Ties 1998 record of 37.5.
- Estevan Point Area – new record of 23.8, old record of 22.5 set in 1998.
- Gibson Zone – new record of 34.4, old record of 30.3 set in 2018.
- Hope Area – New record of 37.9, old record of 36.1 set in 1958.
- Malachat Zone – new record of 33.2, old record of 30.5 set in 1996.
- Port Alberni Area – New record of 37.7, old record of 36.7 set in 1971.
- Prince Rupert Region – New record of 25.8, old record of 24.1 set in 1998.
- Sechelt region – new record of 34.4, old record of 30.3 set in 2018.
- Squamish Area – new record of 37.1, old record of 31.6 set in 2018.
- White Rock Area – New record of 31, old record of 29.4 set in 1958.
HEAT WARNINGS REMAIN
Heat advisories put in place for British Columbia earlier in the week remained in place Wednesday. Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Seccon told CTV News Vancouver earlier in the week that the southwestern interior of the province is likely to be the hot spot.
“Places like Kamloops, Lytton,” he said. “They will be approaching temperatures around 30 degrees, even 40 degrees, and they won’t cool down that much at night.”
Even in Metro Vancouver, temperatures can reach 38 C inland.
“The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening. The coolest time of the day will be near sunrise,” the warnings said.
“Extreme heat affects everyone. The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and people who work or play sports outdoors.”
Environment Canada advised residents to watch for signs of heat illness, including swelling, rashes, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and deterioration of health.
Although high temperatures are expected this week, a slow cooling trend is expected to begin over the weekend or early next week.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Maria Weisgarber
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