School has started, but Abbotsford’s summer of smoke and sun is still going strong.
The mercury at YXX hit 36.4 C on Monday, breaking a 66-year-old record for the warmest Sept. 4 on record. Meanwhile, smoke has returned to the Lower Mainland, with the culprit this time mainly a series of wildfires in Washington State.
The hot beginning to September comes after Abbotsford’s second-warmest August on record. With an average temperature of 19.8 C, the month was 1.6 C above average.
Despite the soaring temperatures, Abbotsford failed to break its all-time heat record of 38 C set in 2009. The hot weather had prompted a rare heat warning, along with a special weather statement from Environment Canada, while the smoke had triggered a special air quality statement. Air quality levels were expected to rate a 5 – signalling moderate health risks – on the province’s Air Quality Health Index Tuesday.
Rising smoke in the valley, along with some cloud cover, saw forecasters predict cooler temperatures through Tuesday and Wednesday, although it was still expected to reach the low 30s. Rain is expected by the end of the week, bringing some relief from both the heat and the smoke, Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist said.
More normal end-of-summer temperatures are forecast for next week.