Early-season heat breaks temperature records across parts of B.C.

A burst of early-season heat pushed temperatures into record territory in parts of British Columbia on Thursday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

In the Okanagan, Vernon set a new daily mark, climbing to 33.5 C at the Auto station, edging past its former record of 33.2 C from 2005. Kelowna meanwhile, reached a preliminary high of 33.5 C, surpassing the previous May 28 record of 32.7 C set in 1995.

Elsewhere in the province, several locations either tied or matched long-standing records. Pemberton Airport reached 34.4 C, tying a record set in 2005, while Trail also hit 34.4 C, matching a temperature last recorded in 1934.

The heat came amid unstable spring conditions, with rain moving into parts of the Okanagan later in the day helping ease temperatures after the record-setting highs.