Published on Jul. 10, 2024, 1:03 AM
B.C. set some new temperature records this week after heat usurped previous high tallies. The heat will continue to pose a risk to health and it may ignite new wildfires.
Folks across B.C. are feeling the heat as temperatures have rapidly climbed to high levels, even becoming Canada’s hottest daytime values, even for short periods of time.
Heat warnings across the province as temperatures will remain firmly in the 30s until Wednesday for coastal areas, but the the Okanagan Valley could see an additional 10 consecutive days above 30°C.
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The heat, originating from a California-positioned heat dome, has already given Canada multiple 40-degree temperatures, including its first of the year.
Ashcroft reached 40.3°C on Sunday, and was at the time, hot enough to make it Canada’s new hot spot so far this year. However, on Monday, Lytton soared to 42.4°C, surpassing Ashcroft’s Sunday temperature.
And then, on Tuesday afternoon, not to be bested, Lytton reached 42.5°C –– making it the new, warmest day of 2024 in Canada.
As with any prolonged heat event, there are health risks associated for those in vulnerable populations who may be more susceptible to the warmer conditions.