Heat warnings continue amid record-breaking temperatures

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Day records for the highest historic temperature are being broken and made across the province during the final day of a province-wide heat wave. 

Environment Canada defines a day record as the highest recorded temperature for a specific day, which can be compared to previous temperatures on that same day from previous years. 

Environment Canada meteorologist Ken Dosanjh explained temperatures have been recorded in some areas in the low 40s.

The heat wave has broken several highest temperature records across the Peace region, including those in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. 

On July 9th, temperatures in Fort St. John reached 33.4 degrees, breaking the previous temperature record of 31.6 degrees set on July 9th, 2023. 

Dawson Creek also set a new day record with temperatures of 36.2 degrees on July 9th, as did Fort Nelson with a daytime high temperature of 33.1 degrees. 

“Looking at the current forecast, it’s also looking like it’s currently breaking the record for today, in Fort St. John, Chetwynd, and Dawson Creek. Temperatures at this current moment are above the previous records,” Dosanjh said.  

Heat warnings are scheduled to continue throughout the day for the Peace River region, but with temperatures expected to ease starting July 11th, the warnings only apply for July 10th. 

According to Dosanjh, as winds increase and some cloud cover rolls into the Peace region, temperatures are expected to decrease across the region. 

“We will see a pretty rapid drop off in temperatures to more seasonal [norms],” Dosanjh said. 

Temperatures are expected to begin climbing back into the 30s starting July 15th, remaining slightly above seasonal historical averages for the rest of the week.