Environment Canada calls for more sizzling temperatures this week across B.C. after the province smashed a whopping 15 weather records Thursday.
Yesterday, the weather department issued two special weather statements for Metro Vancouver due to a number of wildfires burning south of the border and soaring daily high temperatures. Daytime maximum temperatures are forecast to be 5 to 10 degrees above seasonal through Friday in the city.
Today, Metro Vancouver is continuing an Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter. While air quality was good this morning, wildfire smoke from fires in Washington and Oregon are expected to intermittently impact the region throughout today and tomorrow.
Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections such as COVID-19 should postpone or reduce outdoor physical activity until the advisory is lifted, especially if breathing feels uncomfortable. Exposure to PM2.5 is particularly a concern for people with underlying conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and/or diabetes, individuals with respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pregnant women and infants, children, and older adults. Individuals who are socially marginalized may also be at elevated risk.
As we are in the summer season with warm temperatures, it is also important to stay cool and hydrated. Indoor spaces with HEPA air cleaner filtration and air conditioning may offer relief from both heat and air pollution, but physical distancing guidelines for COVID-19 should still be observed. If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, seek prompt medical attention. Call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
Here are the 15 record-breaking temperatures from Sept.10 in B.C.:
CAMPBELL RIVER AREA
NEW RECORD OF 30.0
OLD RECORD OF 28.9 SET IN 1973
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1958
MACKENZIE AREA
NEW RECORD OF 26.0
OLD RECORD OF 25.0 SET IN 1987
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1971
MALAHAT AREA
NEW RECORD OF 30.6
OLD RECORD OF 27.6 SET IN 1986
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1971
NANAIMO AREA
NEW RECORD OF 30.0
OLD RECORD OF 28.6 SET IN 2011
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1892
PEMBERTON AREA
NEW RECORD OF 30.6
OLD RECORD OF 27.6 SET IN 1986
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1971
PITT MEADOWS AREA
NEW RECORD OF 32.2
OLD RECORD OF 30.6 SET IN 1944
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1874
PORT HARDY AREA
NEW RECORD OF 23.6
OLD RECORD OF 22.2 SET IN 2005
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1944
POWELL RIVER AREA
NEW RECORD OF 27.0
OLD RECORD OF 26.1 SET IN 1975
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1924
PUNTZI MOUNTAIN AREA
NEW RECORD OF 30.9
OLD RECORD OF 28.3 SET IN 1969
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1959
QUALICUM BEACH AREA
NEW RECORD OF 27.7
OLD RECORD OF 6.9 SET IN 2011
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1962
SECHELT AREA
NEW RECORD OF 28.9
OLD RECORD OF 26.0 SET IN 2007
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1956
SQUAMISH AREA
NEW RECORD OF 31.6
OLD RECORD OF 29.3 SET IN 2013
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1960
VANCOUVER AREA
NEW RECORD OF 26.7 (VANCOUVER HARBOUR)
OLD RECORD OF 26.1 SET IN 1944
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1896
VICTORIA AREA
NEW RECORD OF 29.1
OLD RECORD OF 27.8 SET IN 1944
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1914
WEST VANCOUVER AREA
NEW RECORD OF 30.1
OLD RECORD OF 25.8 SET IN 1987
RECORDS IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE 1976
