Scorching temperatures continued to set records in the Lower Mainland yesterday and forced fire crews in the Interior into overdrive as they tried to control an ongoing forest fire near Lillooet.
The mercury climbed to 30 C in downtown Vancouver, breaking the record of 28 C set at YVR and far surpassing the city’s average temperature of 18 C.
In Abbotsford the temperature hit 32 C, tying its previous record and soaring well above the average for this time of year, which is 20 C.
It’s a stark contrast to last year’s chilly June — which averaged in the low teens and was nicknamed “June-uary.”
Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Coldwells said the region is baking because it’s sitting below a static ridge of pressure.
“It’s not moving … and is allowing the heat to build up so each day it gets slightly warmer than the previous day,” Coldwell said.
“These blocking situations occur at any time of the year. In January we were overly foggy under a similar situation.”
“We do see the ridge beginning to start moving again on Friday and that will allow the west wind to reestablish itself and come in off the ocean.”
The unseasonably hot and dry weather has also exacerbated a forest fire that broke out north of Lillooet on May 29.
At least 25 homes have been evacuated and nearly 40 others are on alert.
The Coastal Fire Centre has issued an open fire ban in an effort to prevent further fires.
