Sunday was the hottest day of the year so far in Metro Vancouver

Roland Kjeldsen is no stranger to the heat.

When temperatures creep above 30 C, he likes to leave his Downtown Eastside apartment and take advantage of the weather.

For Kjeldsen, 84, ahot dayis a chance to reflect.

"I've been a summer guy all my life," he said, sitting on his walker in a shaded street corner near a convenience store on East Hastings Street.

"When I was a young kid I used to walk around with just shorts on in thesun all day but I can't do that today, at this age anyway," he addedwith a grin.

Kjeldsen, like many Vancouverites, did his best to beat the heat as temperatures across the region soared this weekend.

Sunday marked the hottest day of the year so far in the Metro Vancouver, with temperatures climbing up to 31C in the city.

Environment Canadaissued a special weather statement for the Lower Mainland.

The government agency says a ridge of high pressure builtover the South Coast this weekend, with temperatures peaking in the mid-30son Sunday in Howe Sound and the Fraser Valley.

That meant plenty of busy beaches and parks.

Parking lots at Sasamat Lake and White Pine Beach were full before 9 a.m. Sunday morning, according to Metro Vancouver.

Meanwhile, volunteers from The Salvation Army took to the streets to help elderly people and those experiencing homelessness struggling through the extreme heat.

"For a lot of vulnerable people, it's a struggle when it gets this hot," said Mark Stewart, executive director of Ridge Meadows Ministries.

"We're connecting with people, letting them know they can come to our shelter, we have an air-conditioned space where they can cool down, take a shower if they need to, change their clothes and have a meal."

Temperatures are expected to stay high on Monday, but a cool inflow from the Pacific Ocean will likely mean a cooler day than Sunday.