March sunshine breaks temperature records across B.C.

Spring forward, indeed.

Environment Canada says temperature records were broken in nearly a dozen cities across B.C.on Monday, including:

• Abbotsford (19.8C)
• Pitt Meadows (21.3C)
• Victoria (16.8C)
• White Rock (21.7C)
• Prince Rupert (17.5C)
• Bella Bella (17C)
• Cassiararea (7.3C)
• Dease Lake (9C)
• Masset(15 C)

The previous record in Masset,in Haida Gwaii, was 13.9 C set 103 years ago.

Pitt Meadows also broke a long-standing record, markingits warmest March 12 in 77 years.

Vancouver hit a high of 12.3 C on Monday, according to Environment Canada, falling short of the city's hottest March 12 on record in 1998, when temperatures hit 14.7 C.

The warm spell is welcome news following B.C.'s15th-coldest February on record.

Rain and clouds are expected to return to Metro Vancouveron Tuesday and Wednesday.