File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

New Temperature Records

New pair of temperature records set as Kamloops feels the heat over the weekend

Mar 18, 2024 | 6:15 AM

[UPDATE at 3:15 p.m.]: Environment Canada has clarified the temperature record for Kamloops was set more than 120 years ago – when the temperature hit 20 degrees in 1901. Yesterday’s temperature of 18.5 degrees was the second hottest day on record.

“March is a very dynamic month weather wise. It’s really a month where we’re transitioning from the deep, dark, cold months of winter towards summer,” said Lisa Erven, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. “While it did get very warm in Kamloops – temperatures did reach about eight, nine degrees above normal for what we would typically expect for this time in March – we actually came in second place for daytime temperatures. So we didn’t necessarily break temperature records in Kamloops itself over the weekend, but numerous surrounding communities did, such as Merritt, Kelowna and Vernon.”

Records shown on Environment Canada’s website goes back as far as 1951.

KAMLOOPS — A pair of temperature records were set in Kamloops over the weekend.

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According to historical data recorded at Kamloops Airport, Environment Canada says the maximum temperatures of 18.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday (March 16) and 18.3 degrees on Sunday (March 17) set new highest temperature records for their respective days.

The previous March 16 record was 17.3 degrees Celsius set in 2010. While the previous March 17 record held a 50-year plus reign with 17.8 degrees set in 1972.

According to Monday’s 5:00 a.m. forecast, Kamloops could challenge another pair of temperature records early this week. Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 19 degrees Celsius on Monday and Tuesday.

The records for March 18 and 19, respectively, are 19.5 degrees Celsius set in 2021 and 19.3 set in 1997.