Saturday鈥檚 blistering heat was Chilliwack鈥檚 hottest summer day on record, at a sweltering 40.9 C.

Records for the community go back 140 years, to 1881. In all those years, the hottest day recorded previously was July 29, 2009 when it reached 38.3 C.

Roger Pannett, Chilliwack鈥檚 volunteer weather observer, said Saturday鈥檚 weather also smashed the record in nearby Agassiz, which was set in August 1898 at 39.4 C.

It鈥檚 likely to be a short-lived record, though, as Environment Canada is forecasting highs well over 40 C throughout the early week. They鈥檝e issued both heat warnings and air quality warnings, as pollution settles in throughout the Fraser Valley.

And there is little respite when the sun goes down, he added. On Saturday night, at 9:30 p.m., the temperature had only dropped to 32 C.

Communities across the Fraser Valley have set up cooling centres for residents.

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jpeters@theprogress.com
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