People enjoy the heat wave across Vancouver Island during a low tide at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville, B.C., on Friday, July 27, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Daily heat records fall across B.C. communities, including one century-old mark

Jun 24, 2026 | 8:57 AM

VICTORIA — The arrival of summer in British Columbia has brought record-breaking temperatures.

Environment Canada says 21 communities reported matching or setting new daily highs on Tuesday, including Powell River where the mark of 31.6 degrees shattered the old record of 28.9 degrees set a century ago.

Fourteen communities reached daily heat records Tuesday that surpassed 30 degrees, with the highest in Squamish at 34.1 C, breaking a record set three years ago.

Duncan broke a mark set in 1940 by more than two degrees at 32.9, while in Fort St. John it reached 28.8 C, surpassing its previous high by a degree set in 1955.