Close X
Sunday, December 1, 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

Court ruling affirms law curbing parliamentary immunity of spy watchdog members

Court ruling affirms law curbing parliamentary immunity of spy watchdog members
The Ontario Court of Appeal has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that limits members of a spy watchdog from using their parliamentary immunity to speak out.

Court ruling affirms law curbing parliamentary immunity of spy watchdog members

Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant

Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is looking for options to protect a southern Ontario First Nation from repeated exposure to benzene from a nearby chemical plant, as the plant issues a new warning about air pollution.  

Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant

Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes

Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes
British Columbia's Opposition leader says community safety should come before protection of privacy rights for dangerous people. 

Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes

'Extreme drought' in area of early-season wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.

'Extreme drought' in area of early-season wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.
British Columbia's first wildfire evacuation order of this year was rescinded within 24 hours, but local officials say "extreme drought" means the risk remains high.

'Extreme drought' in area of early-season wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.

Alberta to pay nurse practitioners up to 80 per cent of what family doctors make

Alberta to pay nurse practitioners up to 80 per cent of what family doctors make
The Alberta government announced Thursday a new payment model that would allow nurse practitioners to make 80 per cent of what family doctors are paid.

Alberta to pay nurse practitioners up to 80 per cent of what family doctors make

Man accused of first-degree murder more than two years after Manitoba double homicide

Man accused of first-degree murder more than two years after Manitoba double homicide
Manitoba RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder, more than two years after a double homicide on the Northlands Denesuline First Nation, a remote fly-in community of some 900 residents in the province's far north.

Man accused of first-degree murder more than two years after Manitoba double homicide