Metro Vancouver's weekend heat wave is expected to peak Sunday, reaching temperatures up to 34 C inland, said Environment Canada in a special weather statement issued Saturday for the region.

"A ridge of high pressure over Southern B.C. will continue to strengthen through the weekend," the statement read.

"The ridge will bring warm air from the south resulting in above normal temperatures for the Fraser Valley and inland sections of Metro Vancouver."

A sunny Saturday brought large crowds to Burnaby's Hats Off Day, with a festival that closed Hastings St. Sunday is expected to get hotter. (CBC)

Saturday heat

As expected, Saturday was sunny and warm, with Vancouver International Airport reaching 21.6 C. It was 30 C in Abbotsford.

As of 6 p.m. PT, Lytton, B.C. was the hottest spot in Canada at 34.5 C.

It's a gorgeous day in Vancouver but it's sooo incredibly HOT out! ❤️ Happy Saturday everyone! Be kind to others! ☺️ <a href="https://t.co/MdbYNpQuQb">pic.twitter.com/MdbYNpQuQb</a> —@Vieparlafoi

The weather in Vancouver is just hot enough for you to regret not getting in shape last year so you could finally go shirtless at the beach. —@jaricfan

The strong ridge is expected to weaken and shift east on Monday.

That will ease temperatures in the Lower Mainland, as cooler marine air moves inland, Environment Canada said, but sunshine is expected to continue for a few more days.