Environment Canada has upgraded its special weather statement to a warning as a heat wave sinks in to B.C.'s South Coast.
The warning was issued for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Monday morning as the temperature climbed to between 12 and 14 degrees above the average for this time of year.
Highs reached the low 30s in some areas, breaking local temperature records.
Monday was the hottest June 18 on record in Pitt Meadows, where the mercury reached 32.8 C. Records were also broken in Whistler (31.7) and the Malahat area (32.1).
In Lytton, the temperature reached a whopping 37.8 C, and in Lillooet the high was 37.1.
More records could fall on Tuesday when the highs climb back up to around the same temperatures.
While records were not broken, the temperature topped 30 in Delta, Surrey and North Vancouver, while it reached the high 20s in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Ladner, Vancouver, West Vancouver and Burnaby.
The Peace River, Cariboo and Fort Nelson areas also fall under the warning, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s or greater.
Special weather statements are in effect for most of Vancouver Island, as well as Howe Sound, Whistler, the Sunshine Coast, Central and North Coast, Dease Lake, Bulkey Valley, Chilcotin, Fraser Canyon and Similkameen.
Similar statements are in place in Nicola, the Okanagan, Shuswap, North and South Thompson, 100 Mile, Prince George and Williston.
And the hot, sunny, summer-like weather is expected to stick around for at least a couple more days.
"Around the South Coast, typically now our daytime highs are about 20 and we're predicting about 30 away from the water," meteorologist Jennifer Hay told CTV News.
The weather agency works with health authorities in the region to determine whether warnings should be issued. The decision is based on risk factors to residents' health.
While temperatures are often just as hot or warmer elsewhere in Canada, residents of the West Coast aren't used to this heat. Adapting can be hard, especially when the temperature rises suddenly, doctors say.
Summer doesn't actually arrive until Thursday, but the toasty temperatures have already led Environment Canada to declare the first heat wave of the year is underway.
The beach weather that's been around since Friday was triggered by a strong ridge of high pressure that's enveloped much of B.C., according to the weather agency.
Hay said the temperatures should cool later in the week, but in the meantime residents are urged to keep safe.
"Definitely you need to stay on your toes," she said. "Make sure you keep yourself cool, check on your elderly neighbours, don't leave any pets or children in cars – it gets very hot very fast."
Anyone feeling overwhelmed by the heat is encouraged to take respite in a shopping mall or another air conditioned space. Those in affected areas are encouraged to drink water even before they feel thirsty, and to schedule outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
The weather agency said residents should watch for signs of heat stroke or exhaustion, particularly in young children, pregnant women, older adults, the chronically ill, and people who work outdoors.
Symptoms include swelling, rash, cramps, fainting and the worsening of health conditions.
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With files from CTV Vancouver's Sarah MacDonald and St. John Alexander
