New temperature records in Western Canada due to a "heat dome".
This phenomenon caused, Sunday, June 27, heat alerts in three provinces and two Arctic territories.
More than 40 new temperature records were set in British Columbia over the weekend, including the Whistler Ski Resort.
Lytton, in British Columbia, now holds the all-time record for Canada: the thermometer climbed to 46.6 degrees Celsius, Environment Canada said.
Dangerous and historical
The highest temperature on record in Canada was previously 45 degrees in two Saskatchewan cities on July 5, 1937. High pressures trapping hot air in the region are expected to set new records for the week.
Environment Canada has issued alerts for British Columbia, Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
Meanwhile, a brutal & unprecedented heat wave hits #Canada: it was 46.6 ° C on June 27 in Lytton (British Columbia)
Yes, 46.6 ° C - ABSOLUTE RECORD in Canada
Never a temperature so high had not been observed north of latitude 50 ° N # Heatwave pic.twitter.com/yF6kv4Jh0L
- Maxime Combes (@MaximCombes) June 28, 2021
"A prolonged, dangerous and historic heat wave will persist throughout this week," Environment Canada said.
"Afternoon temperatures will exceed thirty degrees on Sunday, and will reach a peak of nearly 40 degrees in some areas in the middle of the week," adds the organization.
This is 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal.
"It is warmer in parts of western Canada than in Dubai," said David Phillips, chief climatologist for Environment Canada.
Stores are out of stock of air conditioners and fans, while cities have opened cooling centers and Covid-19 vaccination campaigns have been canceled and schools closed.
Electricity consumption in British Columbia has soared as locals try to cool off.
"Daily, monthly and never seen before" records
Across the border, US meteorological services have also issued warnings of a "dangerous heat wave," particularly affecting the northwest coast states of Washington and Oregon.
"The historic heat wave in the northwest will continue for most of the week ahead, with many daily, monthly and never-before-seen records in the offing," the National Weather Service said.
The last events of the US Olympic track and field trials, which are held in Oregon, were suspended Sunday due to the extreme heat hitting the northwest of the country.
The suspension came as sweltering temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius enveloped the town of Eugene where the selections are taking place.
The end of practice was initially scheduled for late Sunday afternoon, with the men's 200m ending the competition.
With AFP
The summary of the week
France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application
google-play-badge_FR