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Early spring scorches 110-year-old Okanagan weather records

Vernon scores hat trick of records, Kelowna sets 2, Osoyoos, Summerland and Princeton 1
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Cadets enjoy some sunny canoe training on Okanagan Lake near Vernon Saturday, March 16. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Mid-March mercury has risen to record levels in Vernon and Kelowna.

Vernon broke three records this week, while Kelowna broke two.

Environment Canada and Climate Change meteorologist Derek Lee says Monday’s Vernon record, set in 1910 was 16.7 degrees Celsius. It reached 19.8C March 18.

The same temperature in Kelowna (19.4C) breaks the 1932 record of 17.8C.

That follows a scorcher spring Sunday where the mercury rose to 18.9C in Kelowna, breaking the 16.1C record set in 1914.

Vernon got even hotter, 19.3C, one degree warmer than the 1914 record.

Even Saturday was notable, reaching 17.6C, above the 1915 high of 16.1.

While such temperatures aren’t unusual for the end of March, Lee says it is for mid-month.

“It’s around maybe 10 degrees above normal than this time of year,” said Lee.

Sunday saw 38 records broken across B.C.

Summerland broke its 1972 record of 16.1C as temperatures rose to 17.5C.

Osoyoos set a new record of 22.2C, breaking the 1972 record of 20C. Monday was also a record for Osoyoos, reaching 22C, above the 1990 record of 20C.

The 1947 record of 20.6C for Princeton was beat by 22.5C Sunday. Again Monday reached a record high of 21.6C, beating the 1947 record of 19.4.

All the sunshine ends today in Vernon with rain in the forecast until Sunday.

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Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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