B.C. sets 12 temperature records as Metro Vancouver heat and air-quality concerns persist

B.C. set 12 temperature records on July 21 as a strong ridge of high pressure brought unusually hot conditions to much of the province, including Metro Vancouver.

The Lower Mainland remained under an air-quality advisory as heat combined with wildfire smoke from near Boston Bar and the B.C. Interior, producing elevated fine particulate matter and ground-level smog. Metro Vancouver was still under a yellow air-quality warning, indicating high health risk, on Thursday.

Three Lower Mainland records fell. Abbotsford reached 35.4 C, surpassing its 34.4 C mark from 2006; Pitt Meadows reached 35.9 C, above the 34.9 C record also set in 2006; and West Vancouver reached 32.3 C, topping its 32 C record from 2002. Records were also broken in Cache Creek, Chetwynd, Duncan, Lytton, Nanaimo, Osoyoos, Powell River, Qualicum Beach and Sechelt.

Residents are advised to limit the duration and intensity of outdoor activity. They may also wish to keep windows and doors closed while using air filtration.

More above-average heat was forecast for Friday, with highs of 25 C on the coast and 28 C inland, though humidity could make it feel closer to 30 C and 32 C. Cooler, wetter weather was expected to begin Friday night, with a 60 per cent chance of showers; Saturday’s high was forecast near 21 C, with showers possibly continuing into Sunday.