B.C. sets new Canadian record for hottest temperature ever recorded
Several all-time and monthly records have been broken in Western Canada, including the country's warmest in June, as the intense heat wave continues.
As the extreme and potentially life-threatening heat wave continues in Western Canada, new all-time, monthly, and daily records are being set at a rapid pace.
A phenomenon known as a heat dome, something more common to the U.S. Southwest, is the cause of this extreme heat. It is defined as an area of intense high pressure, beneath which descending air compresses into layers near the surface, warming drastically as it does so.
British Columbia is where the heat is most extreme, with numerous communities opening cooling centres and initiating other measures to warn the public of the extreme temperatures.
Power grids are likely to take significant hits and a lack of rain in the forecast means the fire danger is on the rise. In fact, BC Hydro is reporting a new record for peak hourly demand amid the high temperatures. The heat is expected to worsen in the coming days.
See below for a look at the temperature records that have been set in Western Canada.
National record: Lytton, B.C. (46.6°C)
Monthly records: Lytton, B.C. (46.6°C), Pemberton, B.C. (40.3°C), Abbotsford, B.C. (39.6°C), Hope, B.C. (39.5°C), Squamish, B.C. (39°C), Victoria, B.C. (35.8°C), Grande Prairie, Alta. (35.9°C), Yellowgrass, Sask. (45.0·C), Midale, Sask. (45.0°C)
All-time records: Pemberton, B.C (40.3°C), Abbotsford, B.C (41.5°C), Hope, B.C (39.5°C), Squamish, B.C (39°C), Yellowgrass, S.K. (45.0·C), Midale, S.K. (45.0°C)
As well, the Fraser Valley reached a temperature above 40°C on Saturday — the first time in history.
More records will likely be broken in the days ahead as the heat moves east, with the chance of all-time or monthly records being established, as well.
The extreme heat has also reached the Northwest Territories, where two daily records were established on Saturday. Fort Liard 32.7°C and Nahanni Butte (Yohin) reached 31°C.