Warnings issued for B.C.'s South Coast amid brief heat wave
Much of the B.C.’s South Coast is under a heat warning with temperatures expected to soar.
Health officials are warning people to be wary of heat-related illness for the next few days.
Environment Canada says the mercury will climb as high as 35 C inland and 27 C near the water on Wednesday and Thursday.
Warnings have been issued for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound.
Parts of Vancouver Island and further up the coast, as well as the Fraser Canyon and Thompson regions, are also impacted.
“A strong ridge of high pressure will bring a short-lived heat wave to British Columbia. Temperatures are expected to moderate on Friday,” said Environment Canada in an advisory.
Because of this, heat-related illness is a real danger, Environment Canada said.
Some of the symptoms include rash, cramps, fainting, exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
Younger children, older adults, pregnant people, those with chronic illnesses and anyone working or exercising outdoors are most at risk.
Those who live alone and people who are marginally housed are also more impacted.
Several cities across in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions have opened cooling centres to offer relief.
“The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening. Extreme heat affects everyone,” said Environment Canada.
Preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service revealed that 16 people died during the record-breaking heat wave that arrived late last month -- most were seniors.
However, temperatures this summer have not reached the highs that were seen during last year’s heat dome that led to more than 600 deaths.
“In my 34 years, I have to say that is the worst event that I've ever seen for the loss of life. And because of that fear, the provincial government and everybody, the citizens, we're all watching out for each other better than we ever have,” said Doug Lundquist, a meteorologist for Environment Canada.
“It's sad that it had to come to that, but that's part of what's going to happen with climate change. Maybe this is a warning to us, that we have to expect really unexpected things in the future,” said Lundquist.
He says it’s important to ensure adequate warnings and information get out there without causing unnecessary fear.
Lundquist believes the B.C. Provincial Heat Alert and Response System introduced back in June is working well so far.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is a key component of that.
“We talked to a lot of people, our provincial partners, our municipal partners, we talked to a lot of people so the message is getting out there. We're still ironing out bugs, of course,” he told CTV News.
He believes collaboration and communication have never been better. But says there is always room for improvement.
Officials are urging the public to check on their neighbours and loved ones over the next few days.
They're also reminding people not to leave kids or pets in the car.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.