Hot spell persists in southern B.C. after breaking century-old records

An early season hot spell that has brought temperatures approaching 40 C to parts of southern British Columbia, breaking more than a dozen daily heat records, won't be lifting until at least Tuesday.

Temperatures peaked at 39.3 C in Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, making it the hottest spot in the country and breaking a daily record set two years ago.

Also among the 15 daily records set Sunday were temperatures of 31.7 C in Nanaimo and 32.3 C in Pitt Meadows, both breaking high marks set in 1903.

Special weather statements remain in effect for the southwest and northeast due to the heat, which Environment Canada says can feel worse because people aren't acclimatized to higher temperatures at this point in the year.

The weather agency says the "early season heat event" will last into the week in Howe Sound, Whistler, Pemberton and inland Vancouver Island, as well as Interior areas.

However, the agency says temperatures are set to cool on Tuesday elsewhere in the Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island.

Daily high temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20s to low 30s in coastal areas, reaching into the mid-to-high 30s inland.

Environment Canada is reminding residents to close curtains and blinds to keep homes cool.