A number of daily high-temperature marks were set across B.C. on Sunday, July 7, with some records dating back over 100 years. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

feeling hot hot hot

Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, and 20 other B.C. communities set new daily heat records

Jul 8, 2024 | 3:30 PM

NANAIMO — Much of Western Canada has been under a heat warning since late last week, with daily high-temperature records toppling province-wide over the weekend.

According to preliminary data from Environment and Climate Change Canada, 22 communities set new daily heat records on Sunday, with heat warnings currently in effect for parts of eight provinces and the Northwest Territories.

The Nanaimo area reached 33.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday, July 7, beating the old record of 32.2 set in 2010.

Qualicum Beach reached 30.6 the same day, eclipsing 29.1 set in 2010.

Further south on Vancouver Island, the Malahat area hit 30.7 degrees, surpassing 29.1 in 2010.

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Across the Strait, Sechelt and Gibsons both hit a new high of 30.2, breaking their identical 2010 records of only 30.0.

In the Interior, Kamloops reported a scorching 38.3, breaking the city’s old daily record of 35.6 degrees set established way back in 1906.

Cache Creek, just west of Kamloops, was the hot spot in the country on Sunday, reaching 40.3, soaring past their 2015 record of 36.9

With temperatures in the Interior expected to reach the low-40s on Monday, it’s likely not the only record-setting heat B.C. will see this week.

As of Monday evening, the forecast is calling for a high of 33 in Nanaimo on Tuesday, dropping down to 28 on Wednesday and 26 on Thursday, but going back up to the 30-degree mark by the weekend.

The City of Nanaimo has a number of ways to keep cool locally, and Island Health is urging residents to use caution as the heat wave continues.

Heat warnings are in effect for much of southern B.C. and the interior, as well as the entirety of Alberta on July 8. (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow