B.C. heat wave: Here's how hot it could get in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley this week
A heat wave passing through southeastern B.C. is expected to bring above-seasonal temperatures in the next few days, a special weather statement warns.
Environment Canada's notice says temperatures during the day are predicted to be about five to 10 degrees higher than normal for this time of year.
- Stay up to date with your local forecast here
- An 83-year-old temperature record was just broken in B.C.
A ridge associated with warm temperatures will move inland Tuesday, the weather authority says, which will lead to a couple cooler days mid-week.
But by the weekend, the heat is expected to return.
"The ridge will rebuild from Thursday onward and herald more dry and very warm conditions through the weekend," the weather statement says.
Environment Canada's notice covers Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Greater Victoria, Eastern and Inland Vancouver Island, Southern Gulf Islands, Howe Sound, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast.
Environment Canada predicts Vancouver's temperatures will reach 25 C and 24 C on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. On Wednesday and Thursday it's expected to be a little cooler and get no warmer than 22 C.
But on the weekend it could get as hot as 28 C on Saturday, Environment Canada's forecast for Vancouver shows.
The average high temperature for that day is about 20 C in the city and the highest temperature on Environment Canada's record for that day is 30.2 C, which was noted in 2002.
In parts of the Fraser Valley, it's expected to get even warmer. Chilliwack's forecast for the weekend says it could get as hot as 33 C on Saturday.
BC HYDRO EXPECTS HEAT WAVE TO BREAK RECORD
As the mercury rises all over British Columbia, analysts at BC Hydro are predicting electricity use will smash a summer record.
Sunday night already saw a significant increase over a week earlier.
“We’re definitely seeing numbers creep up, but we expect those to continue to go up higher and higher as it gets hotter and hotter this week,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Mora Scott.
Analysts are able to get real-time electricity readings, and usage is measured in hourly increments.
They figure “the peak hourly load” record will likely be broken between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. when most people get home and begin cooking.
When it’s hot, customers also turn on their fans and air conditioners, and they eat up a lot of power.
“It’s definitely a possibility,” said Scott.
Hydro recommends customers close their blinds during the day, because that can keep up to 60 per cent of heat outside homes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.