(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Today is the first time temperatures in Kamloops have dropped below 30 C in 26 days.

According to Environment Canada, the last time Kamloops dropped below 30 C was on June 24, when the daily high was measured at 29.8 C. Before that was June 19 at almost 24 C.

Temperatures dipped just below 30 C as recently as July 7 in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon.

The heat dome that pummeled B.C. has passed, but heat remains persistent in the Thompson-Okanagan.

READ MORE: Smoke from B.C. wildfires swirling in and out of Thompson-Okanagan communities

"Looking at temperature trends over several months, we've been above normal since March and April," Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven said. "Of course, we saw the substantial increase in temperatures in late-June, but even as that departed, we were left with temperatures five to ten degrees above normal."

On July 21, the high in Kamloops has reached 28 C and 27 C in Kelowna, as the Thompson and Okanagan regions remain hot and dry.

Vernon and Penticton are experiencing similar temperatures on July 21 at 28 C. Forecasts for the Thompson Okanagan are expected to remain around 30 C through to at least Tuesday, July 27.

Erven said the Thompson Okanagan saw 30% less than average rainfall in June, but July has been even more extreme.

READ MORE: Thompson-Okanagan in level three drought

In July, Kamloops would average about 31 millimetres of rain, and both Penticton and Kelowna would typically see about 20 millimetres, Erven said.

Penticton has had less than six millimetres, but Penticton and Kamloops have seen less than one millimetre of rainfall in July 2021, part of a drought affecting roughly half of the province.

As temperatures dip down to 13 C in Kamloops overnight, Environment Canada forecasts a 30% chance of showers.

"It's a really challenging season," Erven said. "We're watching weather patterns for a wetter, cooler system to come, but that hasn't happened yet."

Heat warnings from Environment Canada are no longer in effect, but air quality statements due to wildfire smoke have now taken their place.

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