LYTTON (NEWS 1130) — For the third straight day, Lytton B.C. broke the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada, with the thermometer in the Fraser Canyon village hitting a scorching 49.5 C.
Tuesday’s temperature is a full two degrees higher than the 47.9 recorded Monday, and nearly five degrees higher than 45 C that set the 1937 record in Saskatchewan.
At 4:20pm, Lytton Climate Station reported 49.5°C, once again, breaking the daily and all-time temperature records for the 3rd straight day. Final numbers and all other temperature records will be posted later this afternoon. #BCStormpic.twitter.com/jYpvxM0iIy
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) June 29, 2021
Several other cities in B.C. also broke the previous national record. Cache Creek, Grand Forks, Kamloops, Kelowna, Lillooet, and Osoyoos all recorded temperatures at or over 45 C.
Three days ago, the Canadian daily maximum temperature record was 45.0°C set in Yellow Grass and Midale, SK. The following stations met or surpassed that temperature on 29th June 2021.
Cache Creek: 47.4Grand Forks: 45.0Kamloops: 47.3Kelowna: 45.2Lillooet: 46.7Osoyoos: 45.0
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) June 30, 2021
Meteorologist Michael Kuss says there is a reprieve in sight for the Lower Mainland, as the region can look forward to cooler overnight lows.
Extreme heat breaking but still warm through the weekend. Check out those overnight lows in the teens. #HeatWave2021@NEWS1130pic.twitter.com/ufr8VRX6mt
Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) June 29, 2021
However, earlier Tuesday the tragic consequences of the extreme heat were revealed by police services and the province’s top coroner.
Lisa LaPointe said the BC Coroners Service has been called to 233 deaths since Friday, noting the average number for a four-day period is 130.
“Since the onset of the heatwave late last week, the BC Coroners Service has experienced a significant increase in deaths reported where it is suspected that extreme heat has been contributory,” says a statement.
“This number will increase as data continues to be updated. Coroners are carefully gathering all information available for each death reported, to determine the cause and manner of death, and whether excessive heat played a role.”