As people around the province are enjoying a stretch of sunny weather, 59 temperature records have been broken in the last two days alone.
Global BC meteorologist Yvonne Schalle says 33 records were broken on Thursday and 26 more records were shattered on Wednesday as well.
On Thursday, Vancouver Airport set a new record high of 17.1 degrees, breaking the old record of 16.1, set back in 1941. A new record of 18.8 degrees was also set in Vancouver Harbour, up from the 17.2-degree record set in 2013.
New records were set around the province, with Pemberton leading the pack with a new record of 24.7 degrees. The old record, set in 2013, stood at 22.5 degrees. Port Alberni was not far behind with a new record of 24.2 degrees.
Schalle says the average temperature for March 31 is 11.4 degrees, so the above-seasonal temperatures we have been seeing this past week are unusual.
She adds the beautiful spring weather is courtesy of a strong ridge of high pressure and there is a strong possibility of breaking even more records on Friday.
But don’t go retrieving your beach gear just yet — Schalle says increasing cloud cover and cooler temperatures are expected this weekend.
Risk of wildfires
Meanwhile, the forest service isn’t appreciating the warm weather quite as much.
Officials at the Kamloops Fire Centre are already keeping a close eye on the fire risk in the backcountry.
It’s too early to predict how the season will play out, but they’re asking people not to take any chances.
The Cariboo Fire Centre has already responded to 13 wildfires since March 1. They will be prohibiting Category 2 and Category 3 fires, as of noon on April 4, 2016, to help prevent human-caused fires and protect the public.
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