It was the warmest June 23 on record for two Peace Region communities Tuesday, as a hot stretch continues across much of the province, according to Environment Canada data.
Residents across northeast B.C. are seeing a return to summer‑like conditions this week, with temperatures climbing into the high 20’s before a shift toward more unsettled weather.
Dawson Creek reached 27 C on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 26 set in 2002. Fort St. John also set a new record, hitting 28 C, surpassing the 27 C mark set in 1958.
Fort Nelson saw a high of 31 C, but did not break its June 23 record of 32 C set in 1955.
Forecasters say a mix of sun and cloud is expected across the Peace Region through mid-week, with a risk of showers and thunderstorms developing, especially in the afternoon.
Both Dawson Creek and Fort St. John are expected to see highs around 28 C on Wednesday, several degrees above seasonal norms, where typical daytime highs for late June are closer to 20 C.
The warm trend, however, is expected to be short-lived. By the weekend, daytime highs are forecast to cool into the low 20s, with more widespread showers possible across the region.
Farther north, Fort Nelson is expected to see temperatures in the mid- to upper-20s through the weekend before easing back early next week.
While this week’s temperatures are warm, they remain well below record-breaking levels seen in recent years. Historical data shows June record highs in Dawson Creek approaching 39 C, set during the 2021 heat event.
Weather officials say the combination of heat and incoming instability could bring localized downpours or thunderstorms, but no widespread severe weather alerts were in effect as of Tuesday evening.