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Thermometer drops to record lows in three Vancouver Island communities

Campbell River’s -7.5 C now its coldest temperature on record for March 16
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A 38-year-old temperature record was broken in the Campbell River area on March 16, 2020. The coldest temperature recorded on this day since 1958 is now -7.5 C. Pixabay image

It might be gloriously sunny across much of Vancouver Island today, but that didn’t make it warm this morning.

Low temperature records were broken in three separate Vancouver Island communities thanks to what Environment Canada called a “modified arctic airmass” enveloping the province.

It was a chilly start to spring break in Greater Victoria as the temperature hit a historic low overnight between Sunday and Monday registering -2.6C at Victoria International Airport.

It’s the lowest temperature for March 16 since temperatures have been documented in Victoria dating back to 1914. The previous Victoria low was -2.2C set in 1971.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old temperature record was broken this morning in the Campbell River area. The previous low for March 16 of -6 C was recorded in 1982. It fell this morning when the temperature was recorded at -7.5 C. Campbell River area temperature records have been kept since 1958.

And in the Port Hardy area, a new low record of -4.7 C was set. The old record of -2.7 C was set in 1982.

It’s part of a cold snap that also set record lows for Powell River (-5.0), Bella Bella (-4.7), Blue River (-20.5), Clinton (-20.0), the Hope Slide (-9.3), and Sechelt (-2.7).

Environment Canada has issued a warmer four-day forecast full of sun with lows of 2C and highs of 13C through to Saturday.

RELATED: Wednesday’s snowfall was a record for Campbell River

RELATED: Two 95-year-old warm weather records broken in B.C.

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