Article content
A prolonged ridge of high pressure continued to set warm weather records over the weekend across much of British Columbia.
Environment Canada reports that at least 38 weather stations recorded record levels on Sunday, two more than Saturday.
Article content
The third day of an unusually warm and sunny stretch broke records in Vancouver and several parts of the Lower Mainland, Kelowna and other communities in the Okanagan, Merritt, Nelson, Port Alberni, Prince George and as far north as Fort St. John.
Article content
The temperature exceeded 20 degrees Celsius in 15 of those record locations, including Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows, Dawson Creek, Squamish and Quesnel.
Vancouver and Richmond’s daytime highs of 15.5C and 14.4C broke records set back in 1900.
While some places barely broke old records, other regions obliterated them. Prince George and Fort St. John reached 20.3 C and 19.7 C, almost seven degrees above the previous records set in 1941 and 1910. Mackenzie reached 17.1, almost six above the 2019 record.
Vancouver-based Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Nan Lu said over the weekend that the system should give way to colder, wetter conditions starting Wednesday.
Weather agency data released Monday night showed that nearly two dozen more records were likely set that day, although the temperature readings are estimates and can be adjusted. While Tuesday will also continue to be nice and sunny, temperatures should moderate further as the ridge of high pressure weakens.
Recommended by Editorial
-
British Columbia orchards and vineyards will receive $70 million to replant after disastrous winter
-
British Columbia wildfire season: Expect early, intense battle as drought persists
Article content
Here is a list of British Columbia communities that set daily high temperature records* on Sunday, March 17, followed by the previous record and the year it was set in parentheses:
Abbotsford: 21.5 (20.6, 1947)
Río Azul: 20.2 (14.2, 2019)
Burns Lake: 15.9 (12.8, 1957)
Cache Creek: 21 (20.6, 1947)
Clear water: 20.6 (18.3, 1915)
Clinton: 17.2 (12.9, 2007)
Dawson Creek: 20.9 (12.8, 1930)
Fort San Juan: 19.7 (12.8, 1910)
Gibson: 18.8 (16.2, 2019)
Kelowna: 18.9 (16.1, 1914)
Mackenzie: 17.1 (11.5, 2019)
Malahat: 18.2 (14.7, 2019)
Merritt: 23.2 (19.4, 1972)
Nakusp: 13.6 (13.1, 2019)
Nelson: 18.6 (16.7, 1947)
Osoyoos: 22.2 (20, 1972)
Pemberton: 20.9 (18.1, 2019)
Pitt Meadows: 22.5 (19.5, 2019)
Puerto Alberni: 20.9 (18.9, 1930)
Powell River: 19.4 (16.7, 1972)
Prince George: 20.2 (13.3, 1941)
Princeton: 22.5 (20.6, 1947)
Puntzi Mountain: 18 (12.1, 2007)
Quesnel: 22.8 (17.2, 1902)
Richmond: 14.6 (14.4, 1900)
Sechelt: 18.8 (16.2, 2019)
Blacksmiths: 16.0 (11.7, 1947)
Club wood: 16.9 (13.3, 1972)
Squamish: 22.2 (21.3, 2019)
Summerland: 17.5 (16.1, 1972)
Tatlayoko Lake: 18.4 (17.2, 1947)
Article content
Track: 20.8 (18.3, 1947)
Vancouver: 15.1 (14.4, 1900)
Vernon: 19.3 (18.3, 1914)
West Vancouver: 18.9 (17.8, 1995)
Whistler: 18.9 (14.4, 2019)
Williams Lake: 19.5 (14.9, 2007)
Yoho National Park: 12.5 (12.2, 1947)
* Please note that records have been kept dating back to the late 19th century in some areas and more recently in others.
Related
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know – add VancouverSun.com and LaProvincia.com to your favorites and subscribe to our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber – for just $14 a month you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The province.