Unseasonable weekend lows in B.C. break records, but summer on its way: weather experts
Posted June 17, 2024 4:10 pm.
Last Updated June 17, 2024 4:12 pm.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says unseasonably cold weather this weekend broke multiple daily low records in southern B.C.
It was 13 degrees Celcius in Kelowna on Sunday, breaking the previous June 16 record low of 15 degrees, set back in 1906.
Records for daily cold weather were also broken in Kamloops, Bella Bella and Penticton.
Lytton also broke its daily record, only reaching 15 degrees.
The low marks a big difference compared to the all-time Canadian heat record of 49.6 degrees, set in Lytton on June 29, 2021 — one day before a wildfire killed two people and destroyed much of the village.
Despite seasonal departures like B.C. felt this weekend, ECCC data shows temperatures in Canada, on average, are trending upwards as human activity affects climate across the planet.
Meterologist for CityNews, Carl Lam says warm weather is on its way back to the Lower Mainland.
“As we go into Thursday and Friday, that’s when it starts to get borderline hot, as temperatures, even by the coast, are in the low 20s,” said Lam.
“And then, away from the coast, as you head toward Abbotsford [and] Burnaby, you’re talking about temperatures getting up into the upper 20s for daytime highs.”
Thursday, June 20, marks the official start of summer this year.
