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(SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)

Lytton was the hot spot in BC yesterday, May 15, setting a new record for the day at 36.5 Celsius.

The old record was 33.9 C set in 1949.

Seven other communities in the Thompson-Okanagan also set new records.

Those included Kamloops at 32.2 C, breaking its 1924 record of 31.1 C and Kelowna that got to 32.1 C, breaking its 2018 record of 31.3 C.

Cache Creek set a record high of 35 C, as did Clearwater at 34 C, Clinton at 28.8 C, Lillooet at 34.4 C and Merritt at 32.9 C.

In all, 37 heat records were broken in B.C. ranging from 19.8 C in Sandspit to 35.9 C in Pemberton.

Alberta saw 17 heat records broken.

Environment Canada has continued with its Special Weather Statement for most of BC.

“The BC Interior is experiencing unseasonably hot weather due to a strong ridge of high pressure,” it says. “The highest temperatures are expected to last through the week. Daytime highs will be 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above seasonal values while overnight lows will be five to 10 degrees above what is normally experienced this time of year.

“With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat related illnesses will increase. While the developing heat conditions may result in daily temperature records being broken, it must be emphasized that the expected hot conditions will not approach those reached during the ‘heat dome’ of late June 2021.”

READ MORE: One more day of the heat wave pushes Okanagan and Canadian records even higher

The BC River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings for the Lower Thompson (Bonaparte River and Cache Creek area) and a High Streamflow Advisory for Salmon River, South Thompson, Shuswap, Similkameen, Okanagan, North Thompson and Nicola regions.

“In some areas, including the Bonaparte River, Guichon Creek and the Salmon River, flows have stabilized and are slowly receding,” the warning says. “Snow is now diminished enough in the headwaters of these rivers that ongoing flood hazard from snowmelt is not expected.

“Through other rivers in the region, accelerated snowmelt is leading to rises in rivers. Most rivers are anticipated to reach two-year to five-year flow levels (e.g. typical annual maximum flows) over the next few days (May 15-17), with rises to higher flows possible in areas later in the week. Due to the prolonged hot weather, rapid snowmelt and rising flows is anticipated throughout the coming week.”

There are currently 62 active wildfires in the province, mostly in the North, including 20 that are out of control. There are only two active fires listed for the Kamloops forest district.

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