A nearly century-old temperature record was broken in Dawson Creek on Jan. 13, as parts of the South Peace region experienced unseasonably warm winter weather.
New daily maximum temperature records were set in Dawson Creek and Chetwynd, according to Environment Canada.
Dawson Creek almost hit +8 C yesterday, Jan. 13, with the agency recording the record as 7.9 C. Chetwynd was warmer. Its new record was set at +9.2 C around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.
The stark contrast in recent weather, when compared to the extreme cold of December and early January, is a phenomenon referred to as ‘weather whiplash’ by meteorologists. This overcorrection in temperatures can occur after extreme heat, with intense rainfall, or after extreme cold by bringing pleasant, springtime temperatures.
Both communities broke record which were set over 40 years ago. Dawson Creek defeated its highest recorded temperature for the date, which was set in 1933 when it felt like 6.7 C. In Chetwynd, the previous highest recorded temperature for the date was set in 1982 when it was 7.5 C.
The coldest recorded temperature for Dawson Creek on January 13 was set in 2020, when the temperature was –41 C. Chetwynd’s coldest recorded thirteenth was the same year, when it hit –38 C, according to Environment Canada.
Weather in the South Peace can vary widely this time of year. In 2023, both communities hovered around 5 C. The previous year, temperatures plunged below –30 C.
As for today, Jan. 14, Environment Canada forecasts a high of 13 C in Dawson Creek, with some cloud expected to roll in following a sunny morning.
