New Canadian temperature record set in Lytton, B.C., tops all-time high for Las Vegas
A small village in British Columbia has broken Canada's all-time record for hottest temperature for the second time in less than 24 hours.
Environment Canada said temperatures reached a scorching 47.9 C in Lytton on Monday, topping the previous record of 46.1 C set on Sunday.
Prior to that, the highest temperature ever recorded across the country was in Saskatchewan more than 80 years ago.
Monday's blistering heat in Lytton also topped the record for the hottest temperature ever registered in Las Vegas. According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the Nevada city's all-time high was 47.2 C.
It appears dozens of other local heat records were broken elsewhere in B.C. on Monday as well, though the numbers released by Environment Canada are preliminary.
Almost every corner of the province remains sweltering under what officials have called a dangerous long-duration heat wave, prompted by an "exceptionally strong ridge of high pressure" that has also kept temperatures elevated overnight.
In heat warnings that apply to most regions of B.C., Environment Canada has noted the potential for heat-related illness.
Symptoms to watch for include dizziness, vomiting, extreme thirst, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and decreased urination with "unusually dark urine," according to the weather agency.
The heat wave has prompted a run on fans and air conditioning units, leaving many condo and apartment-dwellers sweating day and night. Some residents have sought relief by renting hotel rooms with air conditioning and pool access.
At Sutton Place in Vancouver, more staff was brought in to handle the sudden surge in demand over the weekend.
"We didn't anticipate what we saw," said Sean Hutchinson, sales manager for the hotel.
The uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions have also left many people feeling worried about the future that lies ahead if more isn't done to address human-caused climate change.
"Climate change is a public health emergency and we need to treat it like one," B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau said on Twitter Monday. "B.C. is now facing a reality of extreme weather events or forest fires every single summer."
Over the weekend, David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada, told CTV News that climate change tends to make heatwaves and other weather events more volatile and extreme, likening it to "steroids for weather."
Earlier in the heatwave, B.C. broke another record for the most 911 calls received by E-Comm in a single day. Emergency operators took about 8,000 calls Friday, exceeding the number received during the Stanley Cup Riot in 2011.
Emergency Health Services said paramedics responded to 187 calls for heat exhaustion and 52 calls for heat stroke over the weekend. By comparison, there were only 14 such calls for the entire month of June 2020.
On Monday, the persistent high temperatures prompted a call to voluntarily close workplaces if businesses can't protect employees from heat stress, which occurs when one's body heats up faster than it can cool itself down.
"All workers are potentially at risk," Al Johnson, head of prevention services for WorkSafeBC, said in a news release.
"If an employer cannot be assured that workers will be protected against heat stress, they should seriously consider shutting down their workplace during this extreme heat."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Bhinder Sajan and Ross McLaughlin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.