Local News - Victoria melts heat record :

Expect another scorcher today with a high of 29 degrees in the forecast. Greater Victoria set a new temperature record yesterday as unseasonably hot weather continues to scorch the region.

DEBRA BRASH, TIMES COLONIST

(Samantha Beaulac, 5, Amelia Berry, 5, and her brother Simon, 3,

cool off in the water at Coles Bay Beach in North Saanich yesterday.)

Environment Canada said the high of 30 degrees, reached between 5 and 6 p.m., surpassed the previous record for the day — 27 degrees, set in 1978. The average temperature for this time of year is 18 degrees. Environment Canada spokeswoman Anne McCarthy said the warm weather is due to a thermal trough that is drawing warm air across the area. It’s also why, instead of Victoria’s typical cool evenings, we have had warm evenings. Normally, a westerly flow of cool air coming off the ocean lowers evening temperatures, but those winds are not as strong right now, said McCarthy.

Shukry Regep, owner of Sweet Memories Ice Cream on Government Street, said that in his business, everything depends on weather. “Now that it’s nice and warm, we’re doing really great.” Kan Zhang, store manager of Rogers’ Chocolates Soda Shoppe, echoed this, saying that ice cream sales have “skyrocketed.”

Hot weather means people are flocking outdoors and those who participate in outdoor activities are being urged to do so safely. Another record temperature could be set today.Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 29 degrees. The record high for June 3 is just over 30 degrees.