B.C. heat wave: 24 more temperature records broken

Two dozen additional daily maximum temperature records were broken across B.C. Monday as the province swelters under a heat wave.

Two dozen additional daily maximum temperature records were broken across B.C. Monday as the province swelters under a heat wave.

After more than 20 records were broken on Sunday, another 24 fell on Monday and three records were tied, according to preliminary data from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The oldest record broken for July 8 was in Lytton, where it got as hot as 42.4 C. Previously, the hottest July 8 noted by ECCC was in 1952, when the mercury rose to 39.4 C.

Closer to the coast, Whistler also broke a record on Monday. Preliminary data shows the resort village got up to 35.3 C, beating its 2010 record of 33.5 C.

The record-breaking temperatures led to more than 40 heat warnings across B.C., which remained in place Tuesday morning.

Jennifer Smith, national warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said during a news conference Monday the heat wave was due to a ridge of high pressure over western North America. That high pressure can cause air to sink and dry out, which reduces cloud cover.

"This is the first widespread heat event of the year for Western Canada. The area has had a few hot days so far this year, but Southern B.C., for instance, has had a cool May and June, so residents' bodies are not acclimated to the heat," Smith warned.