WATCH ABOVE: The sun can cause harmful side effects like sunburns, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Lisa Wolansky has some ways people can prevent these health hazards.
EDMONTON — As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the City of Edmonton reached a high of 34.1°C, setting a new record for the hottest July 9 to date.
The previous record was set just three years ago, in 2012, when the city reached a high of 32.6°C.
“Normal for this time of year is 23 degrees, so we’re sitting well above that average mark,” said Global Edmonton weather specialist Margeaux Morin.
According to Morin, Edmonton has only hit 34°C six times since 1996.
READ MORE: Tips on how to sleep in hot weather and 3 things to avoid
As the city broke a temperature record, the province broke a record for the amount of electricity used during the summer. According to the Alberta Electric System Operator, 10, 441 megawatts of power was used between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. local time Thursday.
The record low temperature for July in Edmonton was set in 1938 at just 4°C. On this date last year it was 27°C.
WATCH: Margeaux Morin has the weather facts for July 9, 2015
Edmonton wasn’t the only city to break a temperature record Thursday:
- Banff: 31.7°C – previous record 31.1°C in 2012
- Barrhead: 33.8°C – previous record 32.0°C in 2012
- Bow Valley: 33.4°C – previous record 32.2°C in 1968
- Camrose: 32.6°C – previous record 32.2°C in 1968
- Drumheller: 35°C – previous record 34.4°C in 1924
- Edson: 33.1°C – previous record 32.0 in 2012
- Elk Island National Park: 33.2°C – previous record 32.2°C in 2014
- Esther: 34.8°C – previous record 33.5°C in 1985
- Hendrickson Creek: 28.7°C – previous record 27.9°C in 2012
- Lac La Biche: 33.3°C – previous record 30.9°C n 2012
- Nordegg: 30.7°C – previous record 29.9 in 2012
- Jasper: 33.8°C – previous record 32.5°C in 1985
- Rocky Mountain House: 32.5°C – previous record 30.6°C in 1918
- Stony Plain: 33.6°C – previous record 32.1°C in 2012
- Vegreville: 32.4°C – previous record 32.2°C in 1968
- Wainwright: 33.5°C – previous record 33.3°C in 1968
- Wetaskiwin: 32.5°C – previous record 32.2°C in 1968
- Whitecourt: 32.5°C – previous record 31.5°C in 2012
While many stayed indoors to beat the heat Thursday, many embraced it by heading outside to enjoy the sun. Several people took to social media to share how they spent the day.
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