Canada heat wave

This item appears on page 5 of the August 2021 issue.

A high-pressure weather system reaching from the US’ Pacific Northwest all the way up to the Arctic Circle caused a record-breaking heat wave in western Canada in late June, with temperatures reaching over 100º Fahrenheit in the Vancouver area on multiple days. At least 130 deaths were attributed to the heat.

The town of Lytton, British Columbia, broke the record for Canada’s highest heat three days in a row, peaking at 121.3ºF on June 29. On June 30, a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Lytton, destroying about 90% of the town. All residents were able to evacuate.