The Lower Mainland has survived its first heat wave of the summer.
After a soggy spring, summer hit the B.C. south coast with a vengeance on the weekend, breaking at least 10 daily temperature records on Saturday.
Lytton was the hottest spot in the province, its 36.5 C toppling a record set almost a century ago in 1926. Cache Creek came a close second with 35.6 C.
The two-day heat wave also saw records broken Saturday in Victoria, Squamish, and Abbotsford, where the mercury topped 32.2 C.
The Sunshine Coast lived up to its name, with Sechelt, Powell River and Gibsons all posting record-breaking temperatures.
Sunday was poised to be another scorcher, with Environment Canada issuing a special weather statement warning of temperatures peaking in the low 30s along the coast and in the mid- to high 30s in the southwestern Interior.
“The morning we had (Sunday) was warmer than Saturday,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Hay. “But we had some clouds move in, and that warming decreased.”
Sunday didn’t break any temperature records.
Part of it was weather whimsy, explained Hay. Even though Sunday’s temperatures aren’t too far off from Saturday’s, the historical records set on June 25 were higher than those set for June 24.
The hottest spot in Metro Vancouver Sunday was Pitt Meadows, which hit 32.7 C. Abbotsford wasn’t too far behind, with temperatures hovering around 31 C.
Vancouver International Airport recorded 24 C, while temperatures reached 27 C in downtown Vancouver.
The heat wave had prompted officials to warn people to stay safe in the sun and be aware of heat-related illnesses such as muscle cramps, heat stroke, fainting, or swelling of the hands, feet and ankles.Young children, pregnant women, elderly people, people with chronic illnesses, and people who exert themselves outdoors are especially vulnerable.
On Saturday, Coquitlam Search and Rescue responded to a call from help on Burke Mountain after a hiker was overcome by the heat
Authorities also warned people not to leave children or pets inside parked cars.
The heat is expected to ease off starting Monday, thanks to an onshore flow of cooler, marine air. The southwest interior will also cool down, but at a slower pace, said Environment Canada.
Vancouver is forecast to enjoy sun and highs of 22 C until mid-week.
