THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER - The city of Vancouver has registered its hottest day on record.
Environment Canada says a temperature of 33.8 C was recorded at Vancouver airport on Wednesday, shattering the previous high of 33.3 C that was set in 1960.
"A very strong ridge of high pressure is currently dominating all of B.C.," said Gary Dickinson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
"The ridge of high pressure also brought up from the south very warm air, which was responsible for the record-breaking temperatures."
And Dickinson says Vancouver wasn't the only city to record its hottest day ever.
"Abbotsford beat their all-time record as well. The previous record was 37.9 C and they reached 38.0 C," he said.
A number of municipalities throughout the province set daily records.
Victoria reached 35.0 C, besting the old mark of 31.1 C.
Port Alberni hit 40.0 C, with the previous record being 37.8 C.
And Bella Coola reached 41.2 C, bettering the previous high of 34.3 C that was set in 1898.
Dickinson says the sweltering weather is something British Columbians, some of whom are uncharacteristically hoping for rain, will have to get used to over the coming days.
"The ridge of high pressure responsible for the warm temperatures will continue to hold over the province for the remainder of the week and going into the weekend," he said.
"The temperatures will gradually cool over the course of the weekend."
The high temperatures have brought with them an air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Dickinson says there are a few things residents can do to cope with the conditions.
"Drink a lot of fluids, stay hydrated and just keep yourself protected from the sun."
