B.C.’s South Coast is set for a weekend of toasty weather, with temperatures expected to break records in some areas.

A heat wave is headed for the region that’s forecast to peak upwards of 32 C away from the water, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada.

"A strong upper ridge of high pressure building over the province will result in a heat wave," the weather agency said on its website. "A few daily record high temperatures will likely be broken."

One area poised to break its record is Abbotsford, where Saturday’s record high of 31.4 C was set back in 1982.

The alert applies to most of Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack and Hope.

"It's hard to say if this is the new normal. We can say we've seen this in the past, and it's always good to be prepared for hot temperatures," said Meteorologist Cindy Yu of Environment and Climate Change Canada.O

One group raising a glass to the hot weather is the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, who say they expect to see a 40 to 60 per cent increase in sales on patios.

The sudden onset of hot weather has health authorities urging people to take precautions and stay sun safe.

Vancouver Coastal Health says staying hydrated and in the shade is key, as well as keeping a close eye on seniors and young children.

"We've had fairly cool weather so people are just not ready, or not acclimatized," said Medical Health Officer Dr. Meena Dawan.

The BC SPCA is reminding pet owners that these temperatures can be deadly to animals.

"It can be, on the mild end, extremely stressful for an animal to be left in hot cars. And on the extreme end, deadly," said Chief Protection Officer Marcie Moriarty.

"It's important for people to know we're at risk of heat-related illness. It is real and it is preventable."

The agency says it receives hundreds of calls every year about animals in distress in hot vehicles. In just minutes, the temperature inside a parked car can easily reach 38 C, Moriarty said.

Environment Canada said the temperatures should moderate beginning on Monday as cooler marine air flows onto the coast.

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Sarah MacDonald

 

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