The heart of summer will make its presence known on the West Coast next week as British Columbia sees the potential for elevated heat for communities from the coast to the interior. The heat can pose a health risk to vulnerable populations, and hot, dry conditions could lead to new wildfires. More on what to expect heading into next week, below.
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Next week: A building ridge allows heat to rise
We are looking towards the potential for a shocking heat event in British Columbia next week.
A strong upper level ridge will build over the Gulf of Alaska early next week, extending as far north as the Arctic Circle.
Ridges promote sinking air, which warms and dries as it descends to the surface. This type of setup will allow for a period of warm, dry weather across much of BC through the last week of July.
Forecast models are currently showing the ridge building near the coast, which will allow coastal communities to come in for excessive heat at times.
High temperatures could reach 30°C or more in Vancouver, which is a difficult feat for the coastal city in many cases. For some perspective, Vancouver’s seasonal high during the last week of July is around 23°C. The heat could feel more like the mid-30s early next week.
The heat looks set to continue into the last weekend of July, with temperatures possibly reaching 40 degrees in parts of the southern interior.
The heat will feel especially harsh after a couple of relatively mild and wet months in BC An active pattern brought one storm system after another to the province, keeping things on the cooler and wetter side.
Temperatures over the past 60 days have been around or below season across much of the province. Most areas of the province have also experienced near-seasonal rainfall over the past two months.
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Prepare for health risks and possible wildfires
Steady and consistent rain over the past two months increased the amount of growth and foliage throughout BC. This growth can be a nuisance as conditions warm and dry, and can serve as fuel for any wildfires that occur during and after the heat wave.
Residents should closely monitor wildfire news and prepare for possible evacuations if warnings or orders are issued by local officials.
Some simple steps you can take now to prepare for the threat of wildfires include:
- Create an evacuation plan long before fires have a chance to break out
- Have a plan for pets and livestock in case a fire threatens your property
- Assemble an emergency evacuation bag that includes personal necessities and important documents
- Make sure your property is trimmed and clear of debris, and be aware of combustible materials such as outdoor furniture and propane tanks.
- Don’t forget masks and respirators for the potentially dangerous wildfire smoke
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The heat itself can also take a significant toll. Excessive heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related illness and death. The heat toll is especially hard on vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, the homeless, the elderly, and people living with health conditions.
The effects of high heat are even worse when hot temperatures last for several days. Hot days that stretch into sweltering nights have an aggravating effect on homes without air conditioning, leading to an increased risk of heat-related illness as a hot spell lengthens.
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Check back often for updates on this potentially impactful heat event across BC