B.C. breaks 14 temperature records, heat warnings issued across most of B.C.

July 27, 2022

Vancouver, July 27: Heat warnings stretching across most of B.C., the province saw more than a dozen temperature records fall or be tied on Tuesday.

Preliminary data shared by Environment Canada revealed 14 records for July 26 fell or were tied due to heat, with most of the previous records being decades old including one from the late 1800s.

Abbotsford broke its previous temperature record of 33.6 C, which was set in 1998, by recording 35.4 C Tuesday. Victoria’s record also fell after temperatures rose to 31.5 C. That city’s previous record, set in 2019, was 30.5 C.

Agassiz tied its temperature record from more than a century ago. In 1899, the area recorded a temperature of 35.6 C, which is how hot it got on Tuesday. Records have been kept in Agassiz since 1889

Heat warnings put in place across B.C. at the start of the week remained Wednesday.”Places like Kamloops, Lytton,” he said. “Those will be approaching temperatures in the high 30s, even touching 40 degrees and overnight not cooling off all that much.”

Even Metro Vancouver could see temperatures reach 38 C inland.

“The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening. The coolest time of the day will be near the sunrise,” the warnings said.

“Extreme heat affects everyone. The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.”

Environment Canada advised residents to watch for signs of heat illness, including swelling, rashes, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of health conditions.