Metro Vancouver heatwave shatters several records; cooler temps coming

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Congratulations — you’ve made it through the worst of the heatwave on the South Coast.

It’s been a sweltering past few days on the Lower Mainland, with Monday marking the peak of soaring temperatures. The heatwave that’s been gripping the Pacific Northwest, including B.C., has also shattered several records across parts of the province.

“Yesterday got up to an incredible high, at the airport at 31.7 degrees. We saw 40s in and around the Valley and beyond, and a new national record of almost 48 degrees,” explained Meteorologist Michael Kuss.

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Lytton set the record on Monday for the hottest-ever temperature in Canada at 47.9 degrees. That was the second time in as many days that the Fraser Canyon village saw the highest temperatures in the country, breaking the 1937 record set in Saskatchewan on Sunday.

Lytton has again broken the all-time Canadian high temperature record by reaching 47.9C today. The summary of all broken records today in BC – https://t.co/LbdCrmEJB1 #bcstorm #Lytton

— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) June 29, 2021

On the Lower Mainland, temperatures climbed into the late 30s and 40s, with parts of the region feeling like it was 50 degrees. Daily maximum temperature records were set in several places, including Vancouver, Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows, and White Rock.

Vancouver International Airport saw 31.7 degrees, breaking the previous record of 27.5 set in 1995 for June 28. White Rock set a new high of 38.5 for that day, surpassing the previous record of 29 degrees from 2008. Both Pitt Meadows and Abbotsford saw temperatures into the 40s.

“Tuesday won’t be quite that hot, although Lytton and beyond still will be. They’ve got another day in the Interior to deal with,” Michael added, noting morning temperatures will still keep us under heat warnings.

Heat warnings continue this morning from Coastal BC to Saskatchewan. #HEATWAVE pic.twitter.com/0nNmcoQ92v

— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) June 29, 2021

Tuesday brings the beginning of more manageable temperatures.

“It’s 28 degrees right along the coast, but still feeling about 34. Inland will be 34 feeling 38 — not 43 feeling 50. So, although it’s still way above average in what we would consider one of the hottest days, traditionally, of summer today, it pales in comparison to the last three,” Michael explained. “Into tomorrow, it’s partly sunny with a high of 32 inland, 25 by the water. Right now, it is hot and and humid.”