August 2022 was the warmest August ever recorded in BC

August 2022 was the warmest August ever recorded in BC with an average temperature of 20.3 C, according to data recorded at Vancouver Airport.

In addition, Global BC meteorologist Kristi Gordon said last August was the second-warmest month on record.

July 1958 is still the hottest month on record in BC with an average temperature of 20.6 C.

An average temperature of 18.3 C was recorded from June to August this year, which is above the average of 17.2 C and is the sixth hottest summer on record, Gordon added.

Last year, 2021, was the second-warmest summer on record.

Gordon said Fort St John, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton all recorded their hottest months on record in August and dozens of regions in the county experienced high temperatures daily in both July and August.

Not only was August very hot, but it was also very dry, Gordon added.

In the past six weeks, Vancouver International Airport received just 3.6mm of rain, compared to 36.7mm normally.

BC has five drought levels, five of which are the most severe.

Some areas of BC have been declared Level 3 due to dry and hot conditions.

Eastern Vancouver Island, Western Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii are all under level 3 conditions. The high temperatures, continued sunshine and lack of recent rain have increased water temperatures in numerous streams on Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, according to the Department of the Environment.

The warmer waters and lack of precipitation could affect fisheries and salmon spawning migration.

The ministry said there had already been reports of fish kills and strandings in the past month following heat warnings.

Warmer water temperatures and lack of precipitation may affect late summer fish farming conditions in streams and may affect the timing of salmon spawning migration.

All fish strandings or deaths may be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277.