B.C. heat records fall as cooler Vancouver weather approaches

A stretch of hot weather has produced temperature records in 12 B.C. locations, while a cooler pattern is expected to bring possible showers to Metro Vancouver.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s daily summaries cited records including 32.3 C in West Vancouver on July 22, surpassing the 32 C mark set in 2002. Pitt Meadows reached 35.9 C, one degree above its 2006 record, while Abbotsford hit 35.4 C, 0.9 C above its previous high.

Lytton reached 41.2 C, and Duncan recorded 34.6 C, breaking a 98-year-old record. Several of the previous records dated back decades.

ECCC meteorologist Janelle Gergely said a trough moving into the region would bring cooler air and southwesterly winds from the water. The forecast called for a 60 per cent chance of showers Friday night and Saturday, followed by a 30 per cent chance Sunday.

Vancouver temperatures were forecast to ease to about 21 C and 22 C from Saturday through the following Wednesday, with more sunshine expected during the final week of July. An air-quality warning remained in effect across Metro Vancouver because of wildfires in the Fraser Canyon and Manning Park region.