Close X
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. heat records tumble, Environment Canada to provide update on heat wave

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Jul, 2024 09:39 AM
  • B.C. heat records tumble, Environment Canada to provide update on heat wave

Nearly two dozen daily temperature records have fallen as a heat wave continues in British Columbia, pushing the mercury over 40 C in some areas.

A summary from Environment Canada shows 22 daily high temperature records fell across the province on Sunday, including one that had stood for almost 120 years.

The mercury hit 38.3 C in the Kamloops area breaking the previous record of 35.6 for July 7 set in 1906.

Cache Creek, B.C., was a hot spot on Sunday, with a daily high of 40.3 C, breaking the record of 36.9 set in 2015.

New daily records have also been set in the northeastern B.C. community of Fort Nelson, as well as Williams Lake in central B.C., Smithers in the northwest, Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast.

Temperatures today are forecast to hit 41C in the Interior village of Lytton, 27 C at Vancouver's airport and 39 C in Kamloops.

Environment Canada says the heat wave brought in by a ridge of high pressure is expected to persist until about mid-week.

The weather office had issued more than 40 heat warnings in B.C. by Sunday.

It says the high temperatures pose a "moderate risk" to public health, and the risks are greater for seniors, people who live alone, and those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, respiratory illness, or mental health challenges.

Officials with Environment Canada are scheduled to provide an update later today on persisting "hot weather conditions" in Western Canada.

The alerts in B.C. cover much of the lower third of the province as well as parts of the northeast, inland sections of the central and north coasts, the Sunshine Coast, Whistler, Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and parts of Vancouver Island.

While the weather office says some of the heat warnings are expected to be lifted by Tuesday, particularly along the coastline and on east and inland Vancouver Island, other regions can expect the high temperatures to continue.

It says temperatures in the southern Interior are expected to climb into the low 40s this week, before moderating on Thursday.

MORE National ARTICLES

Small drug seizures down in Vancouver post-decriminalization, police say

Small drug seizures down in Vancouver post-decriminalization, police say
Data from Vancouver police shows a "dramatic" drop in small drug seizures after decriminalization came into effect in British Columbia last year. The department says during the first nine months of the program officers did not seize any drugs under 2.5 grams, as is outlined in Health Canada's three-year exemption.  

Small drug seizures down in Vancouver post-decriminalization, police say

Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M

Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M
Mounties in Richmond are warning the public after a "significant rise" in romance scams and investment schemes in the city, with a loss of more than $16 million last year. Police say they received 87 reports of romance crimes in 2023, and the trend continues this year with another 12 cases being reported between January to March with nearly $500,000 lost.

Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M

New, improved stun gun is accepted for police use in B.C., province says

New, improved stun gun is accepted for police use in B.C., province says
British Columbia has approved the use of an updated Taser weapon for officers around the province to use as a less-lethal weapon during police confrontations. A statement from the Ministry of Public Safety says the Taser 7 offers the ability to discharge a second shot without reloading a new cartridge and its short-distance shooting range option, among other "enhancements."

New, improved stun gun is accepted for police use in B.C., province says

Text message scam in Nanaimo

Text message scam in Nanaimo
Mounties in Nanaimo say a text message scam is making its way through the community claiming drivers owe money for speeding in a school zone. Investigators say the bogus text was received by dozens of individuals throughout the Okanagan.

Text message scam in Nanaimo

B.C. warns of 'identical' government payment website made by 'malicious actors'

B.C. warns of 'identical' government payment website made by 'malicious actors'
The British Columbia government is warning people about a scam involving its PayBC website, where an "identical fake website" is collecting personal and credit card information.  The PayBC site gives residents a secure place to pay their bills or for services from the provincial government, but it says it has become aware of phishing attempts against users. 

B.C. warns of 'identical' government payment website made by 'malicious actors'

Environment Canada issues dust advisory for central and northern B.C.

Environment Canada issues dust advisory for central and northern B.C.
Environment Canada has added a dust advisories for a large section of central and northern British Columbia in response to "high concentrations of coarse particulate matter" that it says is most prominent near busy roads. The new advisories are up for the regions of Prince George, the Lakes District and Bulkley Valley, covering Smithers, Prince George, Vanderhoof and Houston.

Environment Canada issues dust advisory for central and northern B.C.