Comox Valley residents enjoyed a record-setting sunny Saturday followed by a near-record sunny Sunday.
The mercury reached 23.5 Celsius Saturday at the Comox Airport, breaking the record of 22.8 set in 1951, says Environment Canada.
Sunday was even warmer with highs of 26.5, just shy of the record of 26.7 set in 1966.
It was a far cry from the previous weekend when the freezing level in coastal B.C. was near or below 1,000 metres. Last weekend, the freezing level was up around 4,000 metres — essentially going from frost to 30 degrees in seven days.
“So you got completely different air,” said Environment Canada meteorologist David Jones, noting the unpredictability of spring.
“This is a marked change from the last couple of years. But it has been this warm previously.”
Other parts of Vancouver Island also experienced record-setting temperatures on the weekend. On Sunday, Port Alberni reached 31 degrees, Nanaimo 28.6, Powell River 25.8 and Tofino 24.9.
Alberni and Tofino also had records on Saturday with 27.6 and 21.3 Celsius respectively. Campbell River also rewrote the record books with 25.6 on Saturday, upping the previous hottest mark of 24.7 set in 1998. Victoria also had record-breaking temperatures throughout the district on Saturday.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
