A new record high temperature was set in Revelstoke on Sunday. The thermometer peaked at an oppressive 39.9 C at around 5 p.m., shattering the old mark for June 28 set 90 years in 1925, when it was a breezy 35 C.
Friday and Saturday were also scorchers – the high was 34.2 C both days – but not hot enough to top the 1925 heat wave, when the temperature topped 36 C both days.
Sunday's high wasn't quite an all-time record, but it did come close. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Revelstoke happened on July 17, 1941, when the thermometer hit 40.6 C. Records for Revelstoke go back to 1898.
Still, Sunday's high did set an extreme record for June.
"No matter how you slice, it was one hot day," said Lisa Coldwells, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
She said temperatures are expected to remain above normal for the rest of the summer.
The heat wave prompted a special weather statement from Environment Canada. It also led to an alert from the Southeast Fire Centre, who raised the fire danger rating around Revelstoke to extreme over the weekend.
"Following an unusually dry spring and with near record-breaking temperatures expected in the region over the weekend, the Southeast Fire Centre would like to remind the public of the elevated fire danger," the fire centre warned. "The forecast for the weekend is calling for low humidity levels as well as poor overnight recoveries, which may cause fine fuels to be particularly prone to quick ignition."
They warned of potential for both lightning and human caused fires. As of Monday morning, there was only one forest fire recorded in the Columbias — in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains north of Golden.