Temperature records broken across BC amid 'early season heat event'

Several temperature records were broken across British Columbia on Sunday.

According to Environment Canada, the following areas added a new line to their history books:

• Abbotsford: Preliminary new record of 31ºC; old record of 30ºC set in 1955

• Clinton: Preliminary new record of 31.6ºC; old record of 30.5ºC set in 2023

• Kamloops: Preliminary new record of 37ºC; old record of 35.7ºC set in 2023

• Lytton: Preliminary new record of 39.3ºC; old record of 38.5ºC set in 2023

• Malahat: Preliminary new record of 28.8ºC; old record of 27.4ºC set in 1995

• Pemberton: Preliminary new record of 36.7ºC; old record of 35.7ºC set in 2023

• Pitt Meadows: Preliminary new record of 32.3ºC; old record of 31.7ºC set in 1903

• Princeton: Preliminary new record of 35.8ºC; old record of 34.4ºC set in 2023

• Qualicum Beach: Preliminary new record of 28.5ºC; old record of 26.8ºC set in 2024

• Squamish: Preliminary new record of 31.6ºC; old record of 30.6ºC set in 2015

• Whistler: Preliminary new record of 31.9ºC; old record of 30.9ºC set in 2023

• Williams Lake: Preliminary new record of 31.4ºC; old record of 30.7ºC set in 2023

Large stretches of the province remain under an “early season heat event” statement issued by Environment Canada.

The forecaster warned in a bulletin published last week: “Keep your house cool. Block the sun by closing curtains or blinds. Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions,” it added.

“Fans alone cannot effectively lower core body temperature, especially for older adults. Use fans to pull in cooler air from outdoors, but if you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms of heat illness, find a cooler space.”