Heat event ends in B.C., cloudy skies and drop in temperatures in store

Clouds and lower temperatures are expected to roll into Metro Vancouver from Wednesday, following a multi-day heat event that spanned much of B.C.

A heat event that has affected southern B.C. for multiple days has ended.

On Monday, nine daily temperature records were broken across the province as numbers soared well into the 30s.

Environment Canada said temperatures broke marks set in 1977 in Pemberton, Abbotsford and White Rock, with the mercury reaching 37.4 C, 35.8 C and 32.2 C, respectively. The heat persisted Tuesday, as a dominant ridge of high pressure kept conditions humid throughout the day and night.

According to the weather agency, Wednesday will issue relief from the sweltering conditions with temperatures predicted to hit highs of just 23 C in Metro Vancouver, and lows of 14 C overnight. The forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds with the cloudiness expected to increase come nightfall.

The sharp temperature decline will continue and the cloud coverage will increase as the week reaches its end, with the weekend expected to bring showers and highs of just 18 C on Saturday, and 21 C Sunday.

In the central, northern and southern regions of the Okanagan, a special weather statement is in place warning of gusty, northerly winds expected to reach up to 70 km/h.

The warning is in place until mid-afternoon, or early evening, Wednesday.