Preliminary data released by Environment Canada revealed that 14 records for July 28 were broken or tied because of the heat, with several records dating back to the 1930s being broken. Lytton, which recorded the hottest temperature ever seen in the country last summer, broke a record for the second day in a row. On Thursday, the region recorded a high of 41.1C, breaking a record set in 2009 at 40.6. On Wednesday, it reached 42C in this area, breaking the 1939 record for that day of 40C. Osoyoos also saw a scorching temperature of over 40 C. That city recorded 41.2 C on Thursday, tying the record it set in 1996. Other high temperature records broken, according to preliminary data from Environment Canada, include:
Blue River Area – new record 37, old record 36 set in 1998. Clearwater Area – new record 39.2, old record 38.5 set in 1998. Clinton County – new record 34.5, old record 33 set in 2009. Dawson Creek area – new record 32.5, old record 30 set in 1937. Kelowna area – new record 38.7, old record 37.2 set in 1934. Mackenzie Region – new record 33.4, old record 32.9 set in 2009. Penticton area – new record 37.9, old record 37.8 set in 1934. Port Hardy area – new record 24.1, old record 23.9 set in 2021. Princeton Area – new record 38, old record 37.8 set in 1994. Puntzi Mountain area – new record 34.2, old record 33.8 set in 2009. Sparwood area – new record 33.1, old record 32.8 set in 2003. Vernon County – new record 37.8, old record 37.2 set in 1934.
EXPECTED WARMTH ON THE WEEKEND
Environment Canada’s heat warnings, which went into effect at the start of the week, remained in place on Friday. Warm temperatures are expected to continue into the weekend before a slow cooling trend begins.
“A strong ridge of high pressure continues to cause a heat wave in British Columbia this week,” said an explanation from Environment Canada. “The change in pattern is expected early next week as an upper trough brings in a cooler air mass.” Some areas in BC’s southwestern Interior are still expected to see temperatures as high as 40 C over the next few days. In Metro Vancouver, it could reach 35 degrees Celsius inland, though it’s expected to be about five degrees cooler by the water.
