People flock to Pioneer Park Beach during a hot summer's day.
Image Credit: Steve Arstad
July 30, 2020 - 2:24 PM
While the hot weather hasn’t broken any records in the Thompson Okanagan during the past few days, high temperatures today, or tomorrow could set new highs, said Doug Lundquist, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
“It’s getting close enough that we might see one (record broken) over the next day or two,” he said, adding Friday might be the day.
READ MORE: Heat wave on its way to southern B.C. Interior
Kelowna’s highest temperature recorded for July 30 was 39.4 C in 2003 and 39.6 C for July 31, also set in 2003, said Carmen Hartt, meteorologist with Environment Canada. Temperatures today, July 30, and July 31 could reach a high of 37 C, the weather office says.
Penticton’s record for July 30 was set in 1930 at 36.7 C and for July 31 at 37.2 C in 1936. Today's temperatures could see 38 C, a potential record breaker, and 37 C Friday.
Vernon’s highest temperature record for July 30 was set in 2018 at 37.4 C and 37.7 C for July 31 in 2018. Temperatures today and tomorrow could reach 37 C, according to Environment Canada.
Kamloops temperatures reached 38.9 C in 1971 for its July 30 record-breaker and 40.6 C in 1971 on July 31, said Hartt. Today's high could reach 39 C, making today a potential record-breaker and 36 C on July 31.
Hot spots in B.C. tend to be Osoyoos, Kamloops, Lytton, and sometimes Kelowna, while Vernon and Salmon Arm tend to be a bit cooler, Lundquist said.
Currently, a heat warning is in effect for the North Thompson, Shuswap and Okanagan Valley, with high temperatures expected to continue through Friday.
“A strong ridge of high pressure remains over the southern interior of British Columbia leading to hot conditions,” according to the Environment Canada statement.
“On Saturday, temperatures will begin to moderate over parts of the southern interior as the ridge of high pressure shifts east. However, temperatures will remain warm with daytime highs above 30 degrees Celsius expected through Sunday.”
Lundquist noted that the Interior may also see thunderstorms, either on Friday afternoon or evening, or on Monday. Yesterday, July 27, Yesterday, Osoyoos was the hottest spot in Canada, tied with Warfield, B.C. at 37.1 C, Hartt said.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020