Update: A dangerous, lingering heat wave in coastal B.C. continues to shatter heat records, prompting health warnings. Victoria's forecast high for today is 40. Temperatures around the region were in the high 30s by mid-afternoon. Cooling is expected overnight, with a low of 17 C, but it'll still be warm on Tuesday, with a high of 29 C in the forecast.
Environment Canada heat warnings are in effect for Greater Victoria, east Vancouver Island from Duncan to Campbell River, inland Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands. Daytime highs are expected to range from 33 to 43 C, with overnight lows of 18 to 22.
Cooling centres have opened in Victoria and Sidney to help people beat the heat. The Victoria HarbourCats baseball team is inviting people to visit their air-conditioned office at 1814 Vancouver St. to cool off with water and a snack.
The Shoal Centre in Sidney is also inviting people to cool off in their centre at 10030 Resthaven Dr. The community hub for seniors is operating as a cooling centre from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m Monday and Tuesday. The sweltering heat proved too much for many local restaurants. The Blue Fox, the Bent Mast, Rumrunner, Milestones, John’s Place, Mary’s Bleue Moon, The Mint, Bucky’s, Lido, Shine and others closed their doors.
When the kitchen temperature soared to 45 C at Shirley Delicious Cafe Sunday morning, owner Sheena Mercer called it a day.
“We had our double ovens running. We have a flat top to cook breakfast and it was just unbearable to be around the equipment
Baking was too much of a challenge at Demitasse where the chocolate was liquefying and the butter was separating. Don Amores Tortilleria adjusted their menu and did not turn on their ovens.
The Victoria courthouse was evacuated Monday morning when smoke poured out of an overheated generator and the power went out. Everyone was evacuated.
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Greater Victoria smashed its all-time temperature record Sunday as the region sweltered in an unprecedented heat wave.
The temperature hit 37.5 C at 6 p.m. at Victoria International Airport. It was the hottest day ever recorded for the capital region, surpassing the previous mark of 36.3 in July 2007.
The humidex reading soared to 40, making it feel even warmer.
Butchart Gardens closed its world-famous attraction on Sunday, school-bus pickups are being cancelled, the University of Victoria is closing its campus Monday, and B.C. Hydro reported unprecedented demand for power as a punishing heat wave continued to topple temperature records across Vancouver Island and the province.
Lytton, on the Trans Canada Highway between Boston bar and Lilooet, smashed Canada’s all-time maximum temperature record Sunday afternoon after reaching 46.1 C. The highest previous record was 45 C set on July 5, 1937 around the towns of Midale and Yellowgrass in Saskatchewan, according to Environment Canada.
In Port Alberni, the temperature soared to 41 Sunday afternoon and is forecast to hit 43 on Monday. Duncan and Nanaimo were also baking in the heat, both at 38 late Sunday afternoon, and face a repeat of the heat today. Courtenay-Comox was at 37 Sunday and is forecast to peak at 38 Monday. Campbell River was sweating at 39 and will have similar temperatures Monday, Environment Canada said.
Even Tofino, which is usually cooled by the ocean, saw the temperature rise to 35 on Sunday.
Health officials scrambled to reschedule vaccination appointments after some buildings were deemed too hot to safely proceed.
Island Health brought in portable air conditioners, extra fans and tenting at entrances in attempts to cool some arena venues. The Langford Fire Department at one point even sprayed water on the roof of Eagle Ridge Arena in an effort to bring down interior temperatures.
Sooke School District encouraged parents to keep their children at home on Monday, and said all school buses will be cancelled due to the lack of air conditioning.
Superintendent Scott Stinson said schools will remain open as the record-high heat wave continues through to Tuesday.
“We are encouraging families to keep their children home if you can,” Stinson said in a note posted to the district’s website. “We will be monitoring the temperatures throughout the day as well as the forecast for Tuesday to make any additional adjustments that may be necessary.”
Environment Canada said 54 temperature records fell in B.C. on Saturday, and more are expected to make history through to Tuesday as an intense high pressure system known as a heat dome hangs over the province. Environment Canada is expected to post new records Monday once they are deemed official.
On Saturday, Victoria reached 35.8 C and Nanaimo hit 37.5 as 12 temperature records fell on the Island.
Butchart Gardens closed at noon Sunday, citing extreme heat and apologized for the inconvenience to customers. It will open again Wednesday morning, when the sweltering heat wave is expected to ease.
B.C. Hydro set a record for the highest summer peak hourly demand – the hour customers use the most electricity – on Saturday night when temperatures soared across the province.
The previous record was set on Aug. 18, 2020 when consumption reached 7,897 megawatts. Saturday night, preliminary analysis found consumption reached 7,972 megawatts.
B.C. Hydro typically sees the highest peak hourly demand on weekdays when customers follow a more routine schedule, “which makes Saturday’s new record even more unique,” the utility said.
It expects demand to increase even further as the temperatures continue to climb. It is predicting demand will peak on Monday and could reach up to 8,300 megawatts, shattering Saturday night’s record.
Island Health is juggling its COVID-19 vaccination schedules at Eagle Ridge Arena in Langford, Esquimalt’s Archie Browning Sports Centre and Gabriola Community Hall on Gabriola Island, saying the lack of air conditioning was putting staff and patients — as well as the integrity of the temperature-sensitive vaccines — at risk.
Island Health said immunization appointments scheduled for Monday at Eagle Ridge Area and Gabriola Island are now being re-booked.
Appointments scheduled for Monday morning at Archie Browning Sports Centre will continue, but afternoon appointments will be rescheduled.
“Despite mitigation measures, the high temperatures and lack of air conditioning are impacting the safety of patients, staff and our vaccine supply if these sites remain open,” the health authority said in a statement.
Island Health said everyone affected will be directly contacted and re-booked, adding “additional capacity has been added to other clinics to ensure immunization continues.”
“We acknowledge this may be frustrating for some people and we ask for patience and understanding as we move through the effects of this extreme weather event,” Island Health said in a statement.
Island Health said it continues to monitor conditions at other mass immunization clinics.
Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 37 C for Victoria on Monday. After that, things should start to cool, with a high of 30 C on Tuesday, and 27 C on Wednesday.
ISLAND TEMPERATURE RECORDS SET ON SATURDAY
Comox and Courtenay 34 C (old record 29.9 C, 2000) records kept since 1914
Esquimalt 32.5 (31 set in 2006) records since 1874
Estevan Point 27.9 (20 set in 2000) records since 1908
Gonzales Point 32.5 (31 set in 2006) records since 1874
Malahat 36.1 (33.2 set in 2002) records since 1986
Port Alberni 38.9 (36.5 set in 2006) records since 1900
Port Hardy 29.5 (23.6 in 2014) records since 1944
Powell River 36 (27.5 in 2005) records since 1924
Victoria Airport 35.8 (29.6 set in 2002) records since 1914
Victoria Harbour 32.3 (31 set in 2006) records since 1874
Victoria Hartland 32.5 (31 set in 2006) records since 1874
