If you stepped outside on Saturday and found it remarkably warm for February… that's because it was!

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton and Osoyoos all broke temperature records for Feb. 1.

At 13.2°C, Kamloops was almost the warmest spot in the southern Interior, breaking the city's previous record of 12.4°C set in 2005. 

With records dating all the way back to 1893, Salmon Arm reached 12.4°C  on Saturday, which bests the previous high of 11.1°C  set in 1953.

Vernon’s 10.8°C high temperature on Saturday was also a record, a half degree higher than the previous 2006 high of 10.3°C.

Penticton reached 11.6°C, edging out the previous high of 11.5°C set in 1992.

To the far south, Osoyoos reached 13.8°C on Saturday, besting the previous record of 12°C set in 2006.

Photo Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"An atmospheric river pushed into BC from the south coast and it brought a lot of subtropical air and moisture up with it," explained Sekhon.

"The Interior had less precipitation but a lot of that warm air came through the region so we saw windy conditions featuring that subtropical air which is likely the reason for the records." 

While a much less technical explanation, Sekhon did confirm it would be safe to call the weather event a "Pineapple Express".