Searing temperatures burn up the records
Ron Mort returns an earlier dousing to co-worker Kurwinder Sandhu. Both were part of the Grandview Blacktop crews that were paving a section of McKee Road on Tuesday. The temperature of the asphalt was measured at 110 C after it came out of the paving machine. Crew members say that the periodic water fights help fend off the effects of the record-setting heat.
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Updated: July 31, 2009 2:51 PM
Weather records that have stood for decades in the Lower Mainland melted Wednesday as the heat wave hitting B.C. intensified.
Abbotsford hit 38 degrees, beating the former all-time record of 37.9.
Vancouver set a new high temperature record of 33.8 degrees Celsius, passing the previous mark of 33.3 on Aug. 9, 1960.
Environment Canada meteorologists say the scorching temperatures may ease over the weekend.
Metro Vancouver is maintaining an air quality advisory issued Monday as a result of the higher smog levels that have formed in part from the hot sunny weather.
The air quality index was forecast to hit high readings (seven or eight out of 10) throughout Metro Vancouver and the eastern Fraser Valley through the week.
High risk air quality readings of seven were anticipated throughout the region Friday afternoon.
Smoke from several forest fires in B.C. is expected to increase particulate levels and haze in the sky, said Metro air quality planner Laurie Bates-Frymel.
Residents are urged to reduce emissions where possible.
TransLink is also warning transit riders to prepare for hot weather.
Only highway buses and some SkyTrain cars – the newer Mark II models – are air conditioned.
For current air quality levels around B.C. see http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/
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