Forecasters warn of 'short-lived’ heat wave on B.C.'s South Coast this week
Several heat warnings have been issued across B.C.'s South Coast, where a "short-lived" heat wave is expected to send temperatures soaring this week.
Environment and Climate Change Canada said a strong ridge of high pressure will push temperatures as high as 35 C inland and 27 C near the water on Wednesday and Thursday.
Temperatures are then expected to "moderate" on Friday, according to the heat warnings for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound.
Additional warnings have also been issued for parts of Vancouver Island and further up the coast, as well as the Fraser Canyon and Thompson regions.
ECCC urged the public to be careful during periods of hot weather, which can pose risks to anyone but are of particular concern to younger children, older adults, pregnant people, those with chronic illnesses, and anyone working or exercising outdoors.
"Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions," the agency said.
The record-breaking heat wave that arrived in late July and continued into early August is believed to have caused 16 heat-related deaths across the province, according to preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
Most of the people who died between July 26 and Aug. 3 were seniors, but officials said two people suspected of succumbing to the heat were in their 40s.
The temperatures didn’t reach the highs recorded during last year's devastating heat dome, which saw the Village of Lytton break the country's all-time temperature record before being all but wiped out by a wildfire.
A death panel review released by the B.C. Coroners Service in June determined a staggering 619 lives were lost to extreme heat last year in the province, and that nearly all the deaths occurred indoors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.