Heat alerts were triggered on Sunday in three provinces and two arctic territories in Canada, after a "heat dome" appeared over the west of the country, which set off new record highs. temperature.
More than 40 new temperature records were set in British Columbia over the weekend, including the Whistler Ski Resort.
Ten to fifteen degrees higher than normal
Lytton, in British Columbia, now holds the all-time record for Canada: the thermometer climbed to 46.6 degrees Celsius, Environment Canada said. 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.
"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.
It's ten to fifteen degrees higher than normal.
"It is warmer in parts of western Canada than in Dubai," said David Phillips, chief climatologist, Environment Canada.
Olympic selections canceled
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 hit record highs as locals try to cool off. 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 highs 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.
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