Police in the Vancouver area say they have received reports of more than 130 sudden deaths since Friday, according to BBC. Most were elderly or people with underlying health problems.

Record high temperatures have been measured, up to 49.5 degrees.

– It’s a hot wall, like hellCharles Daniel in Portland in the US told the TT news agency.

He said it’s usually around 20-25 degrees this time of year.

Daniel previously lived in Texas and was used to the heat, but these past few days have been special.

– It’s been very damp. Usually it’s not humid here, but the heat is drier. But the humidity makes you feel like you’ve just stepped out of a hot shower while wearing a wetsuit, he says.

Outstanding meteorologist

The temperature started to rise on Saturday. Since then, hot records have been set every day.

Canadian meteorologist Armel Castellan said he was amazed by the extreme heat.

– There really are not enough words for this. We are amazed at how big this record ishe told CBC TV channel.

Authorities have also recorded many unexpected deaths outside the Vancouver area, but they have not provided any figures.

The heatwave extends from the US state of Oregon into the Canadian Arctic region. This is caused by high pressure trapping warm air in the area.

Portland and Seattle in the US have not experienced such high temperatures since statistics started being maintained in the 1940s.

Lasts a week

In Canada, authorities are warning of extreme temperatures in British Columbia, Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. According to Environment Canada, a “prolonged, dangerous and historic heatwave” will last throughout the week.

The US National Weather Service has issued a similar warning.

In Vancouver, a heat wave forced schools and vaccination centers to close. At the same time, authorities have set up a temporary fountain and cooling station on a street corner.

Stores sell portable air conditioners.

Climate change is causing record high temperatures to become commonplace. The decade leading up to 2019 was the warmest on record, and the last five years were also the warmest on record.