Several records across the province, including one over a century old in Halifax, were broken as a warm air mass surged the thermometers on Wednesday.
According to data from Environment Canada, and collected by CityNews meteorologist Allister Aalders, the Shearwater area of Halifax Regional Municipality surged to 28.4 C on May 20, breaking the previous record by 2.8 C.
Records have been kept in this area since the late 1800s, and Wednesday’s heat jumped past the 1918 record.
Also in Halifax, another portion beat a record first set in 2003 by 4.4 C, reaching a high of 30.3 C.
A heat warning was in effect for most of the province, driving the possibility of new record highs.
Other areas where records were broken include:
- Antigonish with a high of 30.2 C, breaking a 1931 record of 29.4 C
- Chéticamp with a high of 26.9 C, breaking a 1999 record of 24.6 C
- Greenwood with a high of 31.3 C, breaking a 1975 record of 26.7 C
- Kejimkujik National Park with a high of 32.1 C, breaking a 2003 record of 28.0 C
- Kentville with a high of 30.6 C, breaking a 1931 record of 27.8 C
Aalders says that the record reported are gathered from a selection of historical stations, each with differing activity periods.
Flipping to frost warning
From a heatwave to frost, Halifax is expected to experience a significant cool down from the high 20-degree temperatures felt earlier this week.
Environment Canada warns that patchy frost is possible as clear skies overnight, dropping temperatures to 0 to 4 C in low-lying areas. It’s expected to take place Thursday overnight.
Damage to crops, plants and trees is possible the agency warns.