Records fall in several communities in southern B.C. as heat warnings persist

Nine daily temperature records fell in British Columbia communities Monday as a heat warnings are expected to persist in the southern part of the province through to mid-week. 

Environment Canada says temperatures reached 37.4 C in Pemberton, breaking a mark set in 1977.

The weather agency says records also fell in several Vancouver Island cities, including Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River and Duncan.

The daily high was breached in the Metro Vancouver community of White Rock at 32.2 C, while Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley reached 35.8, both records last set in 1977. 

Several agencies, including the Fraser Health authority and the City of Vancouver, issued cautionary notices relating to the heat event, urging residents to stay cool and hydrate to avoid heat-stress related health risks.

Environment Canada says the heat warnings remain up across parts of southern B.C., with the Fraser Canyon, South Thompson and South Okanagan expected to reach highs near 35 C, while Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Sunshine Coast, Whistler and parts of Vancouver Island are also facing very high temperatures. 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns