SUDBURY -- It may have been snowing a few weeks ago, but the heat has returned in a big way in Greater Sudbury.

Temperatures hit 31.6 C on Wednesday, according to Environment Canada, breaking the previous record of 30.1 C set in 1977.

It's the second straight day the mercury pushed past 30, reaching 30.4 on Tuesday. The record for May 26, however, is a scorching 33.6 C, set in 2010.

Other heat records were also set across Northern Ontario on Wednesday. Temiskaming Shores reached 32, beating the previous record of 28.6 set in 2010. North Bay also reached 32, breaking the previous high of 29.4 in 1978. And in Sault St. Marie, the mercury hit 31.4, breaking the record of 29.5 set in 1978.

The hot temperatures are expected to ease on Thursday, dropping from 26 in the morning to 19 in the afternoon, with a risk of thunderstorms tomorrow and Friday.